Born and raised in the Robertsville, Indiana, Karen Lauerman has always felt a deep sense of devotion to the area in which she grew up. Seeing enormous potential and unable to bring herself to leave the area, Lauerman currently resides in Highland, Indiana where she works, volunteers, and spends time with her family.
Lauerman currently serves as the President and CEO of the Lake County IN Economic Alliance, a job she began on September 22 after nearly eight years with the Northwest Indiana Forum as their regional marketing and communications director where she was marketing Northwest Indiana nationally and internationally for business opportunities. In her new position at LCEA, Lauerman is looking forward to moving from a regional focus to a county-specific focus in the effort to expand business opportunities in Lake County.
"We have a lot of hard working people in Lake County," Lauerman said. "It's wonderful to be able to go from a seven county regional focus to a Lake County specific focus. We want to help put these people back to work, to help them further understand their role in economic development. This area has so much potential and we just want to help them reach that potential."
With her team, Lauerman want to fill the gap and create a very strong, combined effort in Lake County. Together they are working to fill a need to help these communities that are diligently trying to expand their business opportunities, but don't have all the tools needed to do so. "It's great, because I get to help the community that I love and still work with the Northwest Indiana Forum as well," Lauerman said. "I enjoy working with our membership to bring about opportunities for the people in this area to develop their own businesses and to promote to their clients about how wonderful a place it is."
In her spare time, Lauerman volunteers with many different organizations in the area. She has served on the board for the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, is a founding member of Engaging Women, is a committee member for Edgewater Systems, and helps with Influential Women of Northwest Indiana. She also supports the local arts, the Boys and Girls Club, and is a part of the South Shore Poster Management Program.
"This is an extension of service to my community," Lauerman said. "When you believe s strongly that an area will succeed, you do everything you can to make sure that they do – making sure we give everything to them so that they can reach their full potential."
In what remains of her spare time, Lauerman enjoys many hobbies. She loves the theatre, spending time with family and friends, and attending her seven year old nephew's pop-warner games. She also enjoys gourmet cooking with her husband, travelling, and NASCAR races.