2015: Karyn Riley

The Junior League of Baltimore

With a commitment to her strong and widespread bonds in her community, her status as an uber-volunteer and her gift for natural leadership, Karyn Riley has been an invaluable asset since she arrived at The Junior League of Baltimore. Her key initiatives have been to reinvigorate the Penny Wise Internship Committee, which works with disadvantaged women seeking retail training and experience; assume the role of Vice President of Community Impact in which she expanded the League’s fleet of short-term impact projects resulting in many former members reinstating their League memberships; her service as Vice President of Fundraising and her commitment to diversity by leading members through an AJLI diversity workshop that made contributions to the Reaching Out Statement.

A consummate mentor to both local youth polishing their public speaking skills and to women seeking asylum and assistance in writing resumes, Karyn has served as a board member to numerous organizations throughout the city focused on the arts, education and youth development including the Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Community Advisory Board for the African Art Gallery and the Eubie Blake Cultural Center. In 2013 she was the recipient of the JLB’s prestigious Annapolis Bowl.

Karyn practices her skills in a professional capacity as well, serving her city as the director of public affairs and then as Chief of Staff for Visit Baltimore where she has developed the first formal outreach program to youth.