Her Story
About Karen
Karen Kraus brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry to her current role at The Club at Arrow Creek in Reno, Nevada, a Troon-managed property. Her career path began in spa and wellness before expanding into recreation, kids activities, events, experiences, operational management, and HR. She holds an undergraduate degree in business and health promotion from Eastern Oregon University and maintains multiple certifications, including the SHRM National HR Certificate, a University of Utah HR certification, yoga certification, wellness coaching credentials, and qualifications as a massage therapist and personal trainer. Kraus is actively pursuing her CCM (Certified Club Manager) designation, supported by scholarships from the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) Golden State chapter over the past three years. She is a member of SHRM and CMAA, and she attributes her success to taking baby steps while relying on ongoing mentorship. Kraus values family, community, experience, learning, and autonomy, and she advises young professionals to focus on being authentically themselves rather than climbing the corporate ladder.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karen
01What do you attribute your success to?
Baby steps and all the mentors that I've had throughout my life that are continuing to be there and showing up to help me through the process.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You can make all your money at once or you can spread it out a little bit longer so that you can still have a life and live a great life through your 40s and 50s. I love that because I think we're so focused on the financial success of everything that we do, and moving and climbing up a ladder but I think we're missing this amazing life that we get to live.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Focus on being authentically you and doing what's right for your soul, not what's right with the corporate ladder, because it'll save you a lot of wrong turns.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The economy and making sure members can still come. During COVID clubs saw young families wanting space not just for golf, leading to transformation into family clubs where kids programming, recreation, health, wellness, experiential events are becoming important - a big challenge but also opportunity.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Family (including work family), community, experience, learning, and autonomy.
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