Karen E. Lawson

The Honorable Karen Lawson, PhD, a beloved figure of the Philadelphia region, sadly left our world on July 8, 2024, after a mighty battle with cancer. Beloved wife of Robert Lawson (“Bob”) for 40 years. Devoted mother of sons Jeffrey (“Jeff”, wife Gwen), and Andrew (“Andy”, wife Ann) and cherished grandmother to Jessica, Abigail and Alexander. As well as her loving mother to her pets, Brie (dog) and Toby and Yuri (cats).

Karen was born and raised in East Liverpool, OH. She moved to Rochester, NY where she met Bob and started her own organization and management development consulting business. Karen and Bob later moved to Lansdale, PA in 1989 where, among her many other accomplishments, she grew her business, earned her PhD at Temple University, and became an active member of the Union League of Philadelphia. She loved her annual vacation at the Jersey shore as well as her many other trips with Bob.

Known for her richly-lived life in service and kindness, Dr. Lawson was an educator at top universities, a business leader who authored 18 books, and a consultant to senior executives in Fortune 500 companies. She was a founder of the Business Leadership Forum, a networking group designed to bring executives together in speaker series, roundtables and expo events. 

In addition to her business achievements, she was an ardent philanthropist who loved working with young people. She chaired the Youth Work Committee and Youth Work Foundation of the Union League (now Founding Forward), which granted Good Citizenship Awards to more than 1,000 high school students during her service tenure. Her leadership and vision transformed Good Citizen Day and re-focused the program squarely on the founding principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In addition, she oversaw the expansion of programs that inspired and educated thousands of students about the rights and responsibilities of American Citizenship.

A Patriot, Dr. Lawson was a leader in the Union League of Philadelphia, serving on its board of directors and on many committees. She was the founding academic force behind the development and delivery of the Union League Veterans Fellows program over the last 7 years. She inspired over a hundred veterans to develop their transitioning careers and their life plans as only a dedicated, seasoned professional can do. She worked tirelessly to enhance the workshops used in the program and gave graciously of her time and resources to make veterans successful despite her full consulting and teaching obligations. Union League members who functioned as mentors as well as the Fellows themselves know all too well her predictable question at the end of every workshop, "What did I do well and what can I do better?" All involved know that there was always plenty for the former and silence for the latter. A true sign of a teacher at the pinnacle of her practice.

Relatives, friends and fellow Union League members are invited to gather to remember and celebrate the Life of Dr. Lawson on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 beginning at 2pm at the Union League of Philadelphia, 140 South Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102. (Please proceed to the Lincoln Hall)  Words of Remembrance will begin at 3pm.