Karen Klaich

With a deep passion for local music and community connection, Karen brings decades of experience and heart to the Foundation’s mission. Having been actively involved in the local music scene for over thirty years alongside her late husband, she has seen firsthand how music has the power to unite, inspire, and create meaningful connections.

A retired North Carolina educator with 35 years of experience, Karen has worked extensively with children on the autism spectrum. Her dedication to education and advocacy makes her involvement with the Foundation a natural fit, blending her love for music with a commitment to raising awareness and support for individuals and families within the autism community.

Throughout her career, Karen developed strong organizational and leadership skills, including grassroots partnership development, grant writing to secure educational funding, and effective communication across diverse groups. She also served as a member of the North Carolina Council on the Holocaust, further demonstrating her commitment to education, outreach, and community engagement.

She envisions the Foundation’s long-term success as the creation of a fully supported, inclusive community where young people on the autism spectrum can thrive. Her belief is simple yet powerful: every person deserves a community that supports, nurtures, and celebrates who they are. Through her work with the Foundation, she is dedicated to helping build a future where individuals on the spectrum feel valued, uplifted, and embraced for both their unique differences and shared humanity.