Electrical Engineer, PK Electrical

Karen Purcell, PE, is a dynamic engineer, entrepreneur, and author focused on helping young women connect the dots to a meaningful future in the STEM fields. She draws on her successful engineering experience to inspire young women to enter into math, technology, and science related careers with full confidence knowing that she did it, other women have done it, and they—today’s gifted STEM majors—are unquestionably our leaders of tomorrow. They can succeed, take advantage of tremendous growth opportunities, and lead the way in STEM while helping our country thrive in the twenty-first century.

Karen is the founder, owner, and president of PK Electrical, an eighteen-person electrical engineering firm with offices in Reno, NV and Denver, CO. She is actively involved in the Reno/Tahoe chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and has held numerous officer positions for the last seven years. She is presently serving as a regional Learning Director. 

Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Widener University in Pennsylvania. She is an avid runner of half marathons, a Girl Scout troop leader and a volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters.  She and her husband have two daughters.

Karen received the 2012 Reno Gazette-Journal’s Entrepreneur of the Year award for a medium-size company. The annual award celebrates individuals and companies that have significantly enhanced the growth and prestige of the technology community in northern Nevada and recognizes outstanding leaders at all levels of business.