Welcome Karen Sugar!

Karen Sugar, Founder and Director of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund, graduated with a Master’s degree from the University of Colorado in 2008. Her studies focused on gender and development concentrating on the concept of microfinance and its potential to alleviate poverty. Sugar created the Credit Plus model which offers a unique and transformative microfinance and social capital building program.

Karen has worked for non-profits addressing women and poverty issues throughout her career.

She founded WGEF in April 2007, believing in the transformative power of MF and the critical need of women in northern Uganda for economic, social and political opportunities. To date WGEF has served over 3200 women, providing microcredit loans, critical educational programming and leadership development in post conflict northern Uganda. Karen travels frequently to Gulu, Uganda to work with the staff and clients of WGEF and is motivated by the belief that given an opportunity, women can rise above poverty with dignity.

In 2012 WGEF received important recognition for their work. On May 30th WGEF received the International WorkLife Balance award in Milan, Italy in conjunction with the VII World Family Meeting at the presence of Pope Benedict, rewarding efforts that exemplify the best work-family practices.

In addition, for the third time in the last four years, WGEF and Karen Sugar, were chosen as Top of the Town, readers choice for Favorite Humanitarian by 5280 Magazine; WGEF is designated as a Great Nonprofit by Guidestar; and Karen was recognized for her work with the arts community by the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas.