Karen Isble joined Kalamazoo College as Vice President for College Advancement in September 2020, where she guides the College’s fundraising, alumni engagement, and marketing and communications efforts.  

Karen previously served as Associate Vice Chancellor and Campaign Director for the University of California, Irvine, leading the planning and execution of the university’s $2 billion comprehensive campaign, Brilliant Future, which launched in 2019. Prior to UC Irvine, Karen served as Assistant Vice President for Development at the University of Michigan. In that role, she oversaw prospect development and the information and technology infrastructure, covering 3 campuses, 36 schools, colleges, units, and the academic medical center. She played an integral role in the planning and execution of the university’s $5 billion+ Victors for Michigan campaign. 

Karen began her career in arts administration, serving for seven years as Administrative Director of the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, and in various roles at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Goodman Theatre. She currently serves on the board of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. 

She is a former board member of Apra, having served as president in 2013-14. She has been a speaker and author, regionally and nationally, with Apra, CASE and AFP, among others. 

Karen holds a bachelor's degree in music from Harvard University and a master's degree in voice performance from the University of Michigan.