The good Cornellians can do: Karen Mitchell ’90

In her professional life, Karen Mitchell '90 serves as chief people officer of an international law firm, Bryan Cave Leighton Paiser. In her personal life, she is deeply committed to working on behalf of women and children.

Ten years ago, Karen was working for a global bank. She reached out to the bank’s foundation team to help her connect with a nonprofit doing work that mattered to her. She knew her people skills could make her a valuable board member, and she wanted to find the right fit.

She landed on the Student Leadership Network (SLN). SLN’s Young Women’s Leadership and CollegeBound Initiative help increase access to higher education through college counseling for students and professional development for teachers and school administrators. Their results are impressive.

“Our students enroll at four-year colleges at double the rate of their national peers, and our graduates have secured nearly $1B in scholarships and financial aid since 2001,” Karen says. “I believe that higher education is a permanent pathway out of poverty. And I get especially excited when our students are headed to Cornell!"

As an SLN board member, Karen has been helping the board recruit members who reflect the geographic and socioeconomic diversity of the students they serve. She is proud to report that recent additions to the board include a former SLN student and alumnae.

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.