Karen Englert, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County, Named Missouri Professional of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America

St. Charles, MO, September 19, 2024

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has named Karen Englert, Chief Executive Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County (BGCSTC), as the Missouri Professional of the Year at the Missouri Area Council Annual Conference on September 17. This award recognizes her outstanding leadership and dedication to youth development and organizational leadership.

Karen joined BGCSTC in 2019 and became CEO in 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this challenging time, she ensured job security and increased wages for frontline staff, maintaining a supportive environment for the Club's youth. Under her guidance, BGCSTC expanded into Warren County with its first school-based site and partnered with Francis Howell School District to support 40 Club youth in families experiencing disadvantages, demonstrating her commitment to reaching underserved communities. In addition, Karen has expanded the leadership team at Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County with an emphasis on hiring women and persons of color.

Karen's influence extends beyond her local Club. She serves as the sole Club CEO representative on the Missouri Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs board and is a frequent speaker at state and regional BGCA conferences. Her leadership was recognized with the ATHENA Leadership Award in 2023 and the St. Louis Titan 100 in 2024, highlighting her excellence in business and community impact.

"Karen's exceptional leadership, dedication, and drive have profoundly impacted countless young lives at the Clubs as well as the staff team," said Mark Schoene, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County Board of Directors. "We are proud to nominate her and see her honored as Missouri Professional of the Year."

Karen's proudest achievement remains her partnership with the BGCSTC Board of Directors, leading to increased wages for frontline staff during the pandemic, fostering a growth-oriented work environment.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County

For nearly 70 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County (BGCSTC) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs daily during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character & leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Through annual summer camps, after-school programming, and community events, BGCSTC serves children ages 5-18 across St. Charles County and beyond to enable them to become responsible, caring, and productive citizens. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Charles County on bgcstc.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn.