Karen Siegall has spent the bulk of her professional life working for either non-profit or socially conscious corporations, a career she has found both rewarding and inspiring.

Siegall, a Miami-Dade County native and virtually a lifelong Pinecrest resident, recently changed career venues, going to work for Florida International University after spending 10 years working in the Jewish community.

"I decided to get out of synagogue work and get back into university work," she said. "I really like working in a university setting."

Just seven months ago, she landed a newly created position as coordinator of programs and services for alumni relations at FIU after intensive interviews at the University of Miami, FIU and several other local campuses.

"I like it very much," she said of her new work. "It's a very exciting place. It's growing and changing at break-neck speed, with buildings and new departments and new staff. And, there's just so much in this area; there's outreach for donors, donor recognition, special events, distinguished alumni awards, there's just so much to do here. I also put out a quarterly newsletter that goes to 85,000 alumni."

Siegall, 47, and her husband Terry, a Coral Gables architect, have been married for 26 years and have two children; Sara, 19, who just finished her freshman year at Florida State University, and Evan, 16, in the 10th grade at Palmetto Senior High.

"I'm living in the neighborhood that I grew up in," she said. "I went to all the Palmetto schools ­ elementary, middle and high -- and my kids did the same."

Siegall graduated Palmetto High in 1970 and even in high school was active in different social groups and a member of the Jewish sorority, Tau Sigma Delta, and met her future husband when she was sweetheart of his fraternity, Alpha Zeta Alpha. She went on to the University of Florida, married, then transferred to Ohio State University to be with her new husband, who had accepted a fellowship and teaching position at the school.

Siegall graduated OSU in 1974 with a degree in art education and art history and certification to teach kindergarten through adult levels. She began her career working for OSU in a research office, pursuing a master's degree in adult education. However, she soon returned to Pinecrest when her husband accepted a job offer to work on Miami-Dade's rapid transit project. She landed a position with IBM in computer-administration, a career path she has followed ever since.

Siegall was with IBM for seven years, before taking a leave for five years to begin a family.

"My family is the high point of my life," she said. "They're sort of my foundation and why I exist."

She returned to the work force with a position in human relations for Burger King Corporation. After three years, and a change of ownership she was downsized out of a job. She then began her decade of work for the Jewish community. She worked at Congregation Bet Breira as staff assistant for seven years, then became director of operations for Temple Beth Am.

Over the years, Siegall has been very involved in her community with a heavy load of civic work. She has been very active in the National Council of Jewish Women, worked regularly in the schools of Pinecrest and served as a volunteer art teacher, participated in numerous fund-raising walk-a-thons, volunteered for countless synagogue-related community service tasks and maintained a constant involvement with Girl Scouts of America.

Now, Siegall is undertaking a new another challenge, one that ties in with her new position at FIU. She has volunteered to work with the fledgling Palmetto Senior High School alumni association.

"I'm pleased to be in the unique position of offering volunteer assistance and also professional guidance as well," she said.