Say Hello! 15 Minutes with Karen Griffiths

There is a saying about work and life that certainly applies as we welcome a new Assistant Director to the Icing Smiles team: If you want something done right and done well, give it to a busy person.

There’s no doubt that Karen Griffiths of Golden Valley, Minneapolis, is that busy person. Icing Smiles is so excited to welcome this UW Madison grad with her extensive background in journalism, advertising and media to the team. Griffiths, who will be working with Operations, Sponsorship and Outreach in her new role, says she has been excited about Icing Smiles since she had the opportunity to meet founder Tracy Quisenberry at a trade show in 2012.

Griffiths was representing American Cake Decorating Magazine in their trade show booth which was positioned next to the Icing Smiles booth. Once meeting Quisenberry and learning of the Icing Smiles mission, Griffiths was convinced she needed to find a way for the two to work together. “I went back to my boss at ACD and said that [they need] to support this cause. I arranged free ads in every issue of the magazine and started the Baker of the Month program on the ACD website.”

So, here’s where the really busy person part comes in. Griffiths is currently working as a contract media planner and buyer for the American Craft Council, a leading arts nonprofit that cultivates the culture of making. “I help promote three of the four craft shows they hold around the country every year,” says Griffiths, who is no stranger to volunteer endeavor.

Previously Griffiths has been a member of the Junior League of Minneapolis where she was in charge of their newsletter one year and also held the position of vice president another year. The proud mom of two grown daughters, Griffiths was always in the thick of things at their school with all their sports programs and activities, which included tennis, golf, softball, and dance. She culminated their time in high school as President of the Parents’ Association.

How is Griffiths feeling about her new role as Assistant Director? She says she looks forward to two things in particular: working with the amazing volunteers that are a part of Icing Smiles, and working with some of the contacts she made when she was working in the cake industry. “I have never met a group of more passionate and caring people,” she says of the Icing Smiles team.

When it comes to the challenges ahead, Griffiths references one of our upcoming events. “I’m still not able to make it through a Buttercream Ball without crying,” Griffiths says. “Seriously, as I start working with all of the passionate volunteers, I take on the challenge of meeting you to discuss your great ideas and to thank you individually.”

Personally, home in Golden Valley is shared with husband, John—her high school sweetheart— and she is enjoying seeing daughters Lexie and Carly as they now carve out lives for themselves in the fields of teaching and nutrition, respectively. Griffiths, who describes herself as caring, brave and funny, admits finding time for hobbies remains a challenge. “I love to read, cook and recently learned how to lawn bowl. I’m hoping someday to continue playing the piano, learn the guitar and knit!”

We have no doubt her musical and maker goals are well within reach. Welcome, Karen!