Karen Graves Pyrch ’81

Karen Graves Pyrch is an enrolled member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. Her Native heritage also includes Chippewa, Choctaw, Creek and Sioux tribes. Karen is a true native Oregonian but has lived in various other states including North Carolina, Virginia, and Hawaii. Karen graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration.

As a college student, she interned at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) during the school breaks. Karen held many BPA managerial roles with her last being the Customer Support Services Director. In this position, she oversaw BPA’s Customer Billing, Metering Services, Contract Management and Administration, and Load Forecasting and Analysis. Karen also led BPA’s American Indian/Alaskan Native Council, a resource/affinity group. She retired from BPA in 2019, after 40 years of public service.

After BPA, Karen continue her volunteer work with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) local professional chapter. She has been the Chapter Treasurer since 2000. The local chapter has been named AISES’ Professional Chapter of the Year many times including the past three years in a row.

In retirement, she was able to participate in golf and held many of the Women’s Club leadership positions. Karen is now active on the Golf Committee. Over the past several years, she has enjoyed being part of the Native Advisory Committee for President Robin Holmes-Sullivan. Karen is co-chairing the Lewis & Clark’s Native Alumni Association and actively supports the school’s Native Student Union.

Karen and her husband live on the outskirts of Portland and are enjoying family time with their children and grandchildren.