by David Austin

Karen Leinen is an Elvis enthusiast.

So, it was fitting that when she attended the 2023 SPIRIT of Performance Awards to receive the prestigious Individual Lifetime Achievement Award, the evening’s entertainment was none other than an Elvis Presley impersonator.

Karen saw the actual Elvis perform live four times. She was all smiles when the faux “King of Rock ‘N Roll” hit the awards ceremony stage. The songs he served up have long held a special place in her heart.

“I thought they brought him in just for me,” joked Karen, senior analyst, Bartlesville Community Relations Programs. “He did a great job engaging the audience and was a lot of fun.”

Engagement is vital in Karen’s role with the company, and she excels at it. In addition to her stellar people skills, she is rooted in the community where she works, having spent nearly a decade at the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce prior to joining ConocoPhillips in October 2006.

Karen is the face of ConocoPhillips’ community relations effort in the Bartlesville area and eagerly embraces the responsibility. She serves on several local boards, including the Bartlesville Regional United Way (BRUW). Currently the vice president of the BRUW’s board of directors, Karen will ascend to the president’s role on July 1 and will serve in that capacity for a year.

Karen has long been a BRUW board member and in 2018 earned one of its most prestigious awards – coincidentally, the Spirit Award – given annually to an individual in the community who goes above and beyond to support the BRUW and its non-profit partner agencies.

“The BRUW makes a positive impact on a lot of lives in our community,” said Karen. “They offer oversight to their nonprofit partner agencies that assist those in need in Bartlesville and the surrounding areas. I’m very honored to serve as the board president, and I’ll do everything I can to help the BRUW and those who utilize its services.”

Aware of Karen’s commitment to service, Nikki Benson, a fellow member of the Bartlesville Leadership Team, was inspired to nominate Karen for the Individual Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Karen’s commitment to our non-profit organizations in Bartlesville is exceptional,” said Nikki, manager, HR Shared Services. “It goes beyond her community relations role. Karen truly cares about fostering a bridge between our employees and the organizations in our community that need the support of community members. Karen educates our employee population, networks and leaders, connecting them to community organizations.”

In 2022, ConocoPhillips made more than $4 million in charitable contributions in Oklahoma, – a total which reflects employee and retiree giving matched by the company – including an estimated $2.5 million in Bartlesville. Karen works closely with the organizations that receive this support, including schools, foundations and non-profits.

“It’s important to have a community where people want to live and work,” said Karen. “We seek out opportunities to make a positive impact. We’re always open to the opportunity to make our communities better.”

While Karen is proud of the work she does in Bartlesville, her sense of pride carries over to the larger Community Relations team. Led by Community Relations Director Natalie Riley, the team operates in the Houston and Midland (Texas) communities as well as Bartlesville. And despite being spread out over three different areas, it is closely knit.

“We have a team that is second to none,” said Karen. “We embody teamwork and look for ways to help each other. We can count on each other. You never feel isolated or alone on a task. Our team members are always available when you need help.”

The team includes Anna Riggle, associate, Employee Programs; Chloe Desjardins, senior analyst, Midland Programs; and Candace Rogers, senior analyst, Houston Programs; in addition to Natalie and Karen.

Natalie was understandably thrilled and proud to see Karen earn the Individual Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Karen is one of the most remarkable individuals I’ve met in my lifetime,” said Natalie. “While she single-handedly manages more than 75 community partners and numerous high-profile annual events, these accomplishments pale in comparison to the incredible impact she has made in the community and in the lives of so many people.

“Karen’s kind heart and ‘can-do’ attitude make her a true pillar of the community.”

The 2023 SPIRIT of Performance Awards Ceremony was special for Karen not just because she won a coveted award but because of the people with whom she was able to share the experience. In addition to fellow coworkers, her son Jeff was invited to the event. He traveled in from Philadelphia and recorded the moment when his mother received her award so Karen’s other children and loved ones could witness it.

“I was humbled by the fact that the company would present me with this award,” said Karen. “It was an amazing experience, and to have my son Jeff there with me made it that much more special.”

The fact that Elvis’ songs provided the soundtrack for the evening’s festivities was just an added bonus.