We are proud to announce that Karol Murks has been named as one of the Triad’s “Outstanding Women in Business” by the Triad Business Journal for 2022. This award recognizes professional women leaders who have made great impact in the Triad community through their work, leadership and volunteerism.
“Karol has been serving as the High Point Community Foundation’s CFO for over 14 years and during that time has overseen our growth from $60 million to over $100 million.” shared Paul Lessard, President, HPCF. “Not only has she overseen the management of these funds, she has also played a key role in our granting of over $100 million to nonprofits organizations that are changing lives every day. What makes Karol so special is her outstanding financial mind and her extremely conscientious nature that has been so key to our organization’s success I could not be prouder and happier for Karol.”
Karol’s work at the Foundation has impacted many areas of the Foundation including her financial responsibilities as the CFO which include managing financials, working closely with the both the Executive Committee, the Investment Committee and the Board of Trustees. She works closely with the President in establishing annual budgets, for many years she served as the Foundation’s Grant’s Program staff liaison and supervised the attaining and maintaining for the Foundation’s National Standards designation. She has overseen the 3 Initiative Funds and does all the calculations for their granting. She is an integral part of the Foundation’s leadership and is very responsible for its phenomenal success.
“Karol is a remarkable and unique human being who is not only extremely intelligent, but has a practical hands-on expertise in running and monitoring a multi-million-dollar enterprise,” noted John Bencini,” Chair, HPCF. She is committed to our mission and has played an invaluable role in building the Foundation that will serve our community for generations to come.”
Karol is a member of the High Point Kiwanis Club where she served many years as treasurer. She played a key role in the establishment of the High Point Food Alliance and served as a volunteer for Tim Tebow’s “Prom with a Purpose” annual event. She has been helpful to local nonprofits with her financial talents and practical business acumen. She has many hobbies including martial arts, she holds a 2nd Degree Blackbelt in Hapkido, trekking the Appalachian Trail (she has already completed 1/3 of the trail), she is avidly involved in her church, is an accomplished handbell ringer, a long-time cat lover and a long-term and very devoted Star Trek fan.
“Karol is one of the most competent and amazing women I’ve ever known and it’s been such a privilege to work with her and call her my friend,” stated Jim Morgan, Founding Chairman, HPCF. “It so rare these days to find such a committed and talented professional who not only does her job with excellence, but is also committed to serving her community. We are blessed to have her on our team.”
Karol, a CPA emeritus, was raised in the Jamestown area and attended Ragsdale High School and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the mother of Ben, who currently living and working in Japan and her daughter, Melissa, who lives in Texas and works as a veterinarian focusing her work on large animals. Karol’s husband is James Murks who works in the transportation industry and is also an avid hiker and student of the martial arts.
