Starting as retail graphics coordinator in 2009, Kari Hamra worked her way up to internal communications manager in corporate services for O’Reilly Automotive Inc. (Nasdaq: ORLY).
The recent promotion is a step up from the graphics coordinator where she ensured the accuracy, consistency, timeliness and overall appearance of the advertising and marketing materials put out by the five-person team of designers she oversaw. She went from coordinating 50 to 150 projects at any given time to corporate management.
“I transitioned from communicating to our customers, to now communicating to our team members internally,” she says. “I am responsible for all the internal communication pieces both print and electronic that go out to our team members, including corporate, store-level and our distribution centers.”
Hamra also does freelance design for local businesses, nonprofits and friends. Currently, she is doing all of the design work for Vino Cellars and Esthetics by Liz.
“While I may not always have the money to donate, I have the time and skills and am happy to assist in any way that I can,” Hamra says.
As co-founder and one of five board members of Appelquist Foundation for Alzheimer’s, Hamra helped develop its primary fundraising event – the Appelquist Foundation Golf Tournament. Hamra coordinated the foundation’s social media and marketing designs, raising nearly $15,000 in just three years, without a 501(c)3 tax status.
Her community service does not stop there. Hamra serves on the board for Children’s Miracle Network, is secretary of the parent-teacher organization for Lighthouse Child and Family Development Center and plays an integral role as a Young Ambassadors board member of the Lost and Found Grief Center.
“She is a volunteer who is always ready to help at the mere mention of a need and follows through with excellent work,” says Karen Scott, executive director for Lost and Found Grief Center.
Scott says although Hamra volunteers excellent design work to local nonprofits, it is her compassion for others that stands out the most.
“Perhaps one of the most endearing aspects for Kari is how she reaches out to others who have experienced a loss, being their quiet strength and support during a very difficult time,” she says.
In 2013, Hamra was nominated for the Rising Star award from Springfield Cares Magazine. It was her integral role in the designing of marketing materials for the Lost and Found Game Day event, a major fundraising source for the grief center, that afforded her this honor.
Since its inception, the Game Day event, which has run for two years, has raised nearly $40,000 to fund the Lost and Found Grief Center and the services it provides for those who have lost loved ones.[[In-content Ad]]
