As a leading benefit auctioneer, Karen Sorbo’s dedication, effusive energy, commanding yet elegant stage presence and precision techniques have engaged audiences across the country. Karen has raised over $900 million dollars conducting over 2,800 auctions since graduating from both the Missouri Auctioneer School and World Wide College of Auctioneering in 1993.
Karen achieved national recognition as an auctioneer and spokesperson for important and humanitarian causes. Highly regarded for her knowledge and expertise as a fundraiser Karen has been featured in local and national media. In 2011, she was selected as part of the 2011 “Women of Influence” Speaker Series by Minnesota Monthly Magazine. In January 2012, Karen’s performing, humanitarian efforts and 20 successful years as a leading benefit auctioneer were showcased on Access To Experts TV.
Since she first began benefit auction work in 1993, Karen has been an active member of the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and Minnesota State Auctioneers Association (MSAA). Karen joined the Women Speakers Associations (WSA) in 2012 as a founding member. She has mentored others and worked diligently to expand the exposure, presence and caliber of benefit auctioneers. She was featured in the WSA April 2012 eNewsletter as one of the “Women You Need To Know.” The article chronicled the development of her drive and passion for benefit auctioneering as well as her stellar history of not only meeting, but also exceeding her clients’ expectations.
Karen’s level of experience encompasses successful financial procurement over a wide spectrum of programs including environmental, private and public schools, churches, community projects, and an ever-expanding range of non-profit organizations. Karen offers solid attention to detail and planning, powerful fundraising tools and exemplary service. With Karen, clients can rest assured that their benefit auction event will be passionately and professionally orchestrated by a seasoned expert.
Awards
Education
Professional Experience
Sarah Jean Knox is a leading Minnesota professional benefit and fundraising auctioneer. For the past five years her perfectly balanced tone of lighthearted humor and evident passion and care have caused her to be in great demand. While running your benefit auction, Sarah Jean will enthusiastically rattle off bids and flirt with the audience while maintaining a professional charm that moves spectators to raise up their hands and place bid after bid.
Hannah Kramer is a 2011 graduate of the World Wide College of Auctioneering. An accomplished contemporary dance-maker and performer based in Minneapolis, she is excited to broaden her expertise as an auctioneer and assist in the fundraising efforts of organizations of all kinds. Hannah is grateful to be able to pursue a career that contributes to the health, quality of life and the well-being of individuals from a variety of communities and cultures. Hannah’s warmth and sincerity is complemented by an on-stage sophistication that reminds audience members of why they are there, and compels them to give with enthusiasm and ease.
Emily Engberg is a bright and talented woman who has a special knack for controlling an audience by capturing them with her sense of humor and passion. Emily has a way with people and is often known as the connector for her drive to meet new people and to inspire others to get to know each other. Emily’s community involvement dates back to 2000 when she was the recipient of the Miss Iowa Community Service Award through the Miss America Organization. Today, Emily is a well-liked TV personality and continues to be involved in several charity and non-profit organizations. Emily is a graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and the Continental Auctioneers School in Mankato, Minnesota.
With more than 20 years experience of “empowering organizations to achieve their mission through successful fundraising”, Tony is dedicated to providing professional assistance to groups seeking a positive impact in their fundraising efforts. He was the 2013 Oklahoma State Auctioneers Association (OSAA) Reserve Champion Auctioneer and the 2014 Champion Ringman. In the last eight years he has helped over 175 organizations to raise over eight million dollars. Tony is a 2005 graduate of the Missouri Auction School, known by many as the “Harvard of Auctioneering,”
Patty Brunn is a certified, licensed benefit and fundraising auctioneer. She received her professional training from Continental Auctioneers School and has since earned the prestigious National Auctioneers Association designation as a Benefit Auction Specialist–something that less than 1% of auction professionals in North America hold. This, coupled with her many years of sales and marketing experience, has helped her master the balance of working with an audience and highlighting contributors’ generosity.
Patty has a dynamic personality that wins over the hearts of an audience. Her compassion is authentic, and enables her to capture the importance of charitable work, and she never fails to effectively communicate an organization’s mission to its generous supporters. Her success in raising dollars is rooted in this ability to connect with an audience in a down-to-earth, engaging way, while always remaining classy and professional.
January 2021 – Top Benefit Auctioneer Karen Sorbo Couldn’t Be More at Home in the Desert
December 2020 – Benefit Auctioneer Pivots to Facilitate Giving in a Virtual New World – DCN News
November 2016 – Minnesota Monthly, First Person, “Getting in on the Auction with Karen Sorbo”
(August) 2014 – Sun Sailor, Auctioneer doubles fee for Excelsior rotaries event. All money goes toward good cause.
(May) 2013 – Books For Africa – Contributing to the “Knowledge Economy” in Africa at Spring Fundraisers with Ambassador Rasool of South Africa
(May) 2013 – Paradigm – Jay Leno for PACER Event
(April) 2013 – The Herald – Putting Cheer Into Charity
(April) 2013 – Studio Laguna – Children’s Cancer Research Fund’s Date for Life
(Fall) 2012 – Edina Magazine – Edina Rotary Foundation Gala
(July) 2012 – Minnesota Monthly – Woman by the Decade – Featured Age Group “50’s”- Karen Sorbo
(June) 2012 – Mpls Star Tribune – Featured Profile – Karen Sorbo “Coaxing is her calling”
(June) 2012 – Lake Minnetonka Magazine – MIC Annual Gala
(May) 2012 – MN International Pageants – Karen Sorbo Auctioneer
(Jan) 2012 – Access to Experts – Featured Expert
(April) 2011 – Minnesota Monthly – Woman of Influence- Karen Sorbo
(Summer) 2011 – The Arrow – Minnehaha Academy – Alumni Profile- Karen Sorbo
(March) 2010 – MPLS ST.PAUL Magazine – Celebrity Hotdish – Karen Sorbo
(Mach) 2010 – Pony Express Newspaper – Stillwater, MN schools, “Karen sorbo aids fundraiser success”
(April) 2010 – OKLAHOMA Magazine – Philbrook Museum Wine Experience – Karen Sorbo Celebrity Auctioneer.
(May ) 2010 – Scene – Rock of Ages – Tulsa,OK. History of Rock & Roll – Celebrity Auctioneer raises $700K for Philbrook Museum
(August) 2010 – For or Against ( The best place to state your cause) “ Karen Sorbo, The Highest Charity Fundraiser for Good Causes in the USA, Should be honored more than Football or Film Stars.”
(Nov) 2012 – Minnesota Monthly – Dream Big – Cornerstone. Auctioneer Karen Sorbo
(May) 2008 – STAR TRIBUNE , Mpls, MN – Blinging and singing PACER STYLE ‘ VA-VA-VOOM pro auctioneer Karen Sorbo.
(Nov) 2008 – Star Tribune, Mpls, Mn – “Date for Life’ benefiting the Children’s Cancer Research Fund “Hotties with Hearts” – renowned auctioneer Karen Sorbo
(Jan) 2009 – Stillwater Gazette – Partnership Plan – “Jeans & Jewel’s will be hosted by charity auctioneer extraordinaire Karen Sorbo.”
(Dec) 2009 – Twin Cities Storm Magazine – Men’s Night of Distinction –Karen Sorbo – Master of Ceremonies
(Dec) 2008 – MARQ – A Twin Cities Life Style – Festival of Light Gala – Karen Sorbo Auctioneer
(Winter) 2007 – Perspectives Magazine – “A Perspective of Hope” raises the Bar for Perspectives. Karen Sorbo Auctioneer
(Aug) 2007 – MPLS ST. PAUL Magazine – Alzheimer’s Association – “Event raised more than $274K…auction led by auctioneer Karen Sorbo.”
(Oct) 2007 – McShale Newspaper – “African Day” – Karen Sorbo stated, “I have always supported the African Community.”
(Nov) 2007 – Minnesota Monthly Magazine – Global Event Smile Network – Karen Sorbo – Presented the Champion of Hope Award.
(Nov) 2007 – Minnesota Sun Newspaper – Bethany Event to feature local auctioneer Karen Sorbo.
(Dec) 2007 – MPLS ST PAUL Magazine – RSVP – Auctioneer Karen Sorbo raises more than $500K for Smile Network.
(Fall) 2007 – Smile Network Newsletter – Over the Top Gala – Karen Sorbo Auctioneer
2007 – Lavendar Magazine ( Collector’s Edition) Karen Sorbo feature in Photography Contest
(Dec) 2006 – MPLS ST PAUL Magazine – “The Selling of Karen Sorbo”
(March) 2006 – Lake Minnetonka Magazine – Vivere’ to Live – Karen Sorbo Auctioneer for the ACS (American Cancer Society)
(April) 2006 – Mpls St. Paul Magazine – Life in Style . “..the live auction was at a fever pitch under the guidance of near-celebrity-status auctioneer Karen Sorbo”
(July) 2006 – McShale – The African Community Newspaper – Annual Gala for MIC (Minnesota International Center) raises $160,000. “Star Auctioneer Karen Sorbo”
(Oct) 2006 – Twin Cities Business Magazine – “One Woman Show” – Feature – Karen Sorbo
2005 – Minnesota Meetings & Events Magazine – Karen Sorbo – Featured Auctioneer at the Ordway Circle of Stars.
(Feb) 2004 – Minnesota Monthly – RSVP – Karen Sorbo
(Feb) 2003 – MPLS ST PAUL Magazine – Winemaker’s Dinner – Children’s Home Society- Karen Sorbo Auctioneer.
(Summer) 2003 – 54th International Auctioneer Conference and show – Speaker Profile – Karen Sorbo
(August) 1995 – Minnesota Monthly – Celebrating Education.- Karen Sorbo Auctioneer
Karen Sorbo is one of the leading fundraising auctioneers in the nation. She has engaged audiences across North America with her talent of transforming the serious business of raising funds into a carefully choreographed and highly entertaining event.
Karen is highly regarded in her profession as she has received numerous achievements, awards and honors since graduating from both the Missouri Auction School and the World Wide College of Auctioneering in 1993.
For over 28 years, Karen has shown her commitment to making a difference from conducting over 2,800 auctions, raising over $900 million dollars for deserving organizations.
Thank you for your role in making our event a success. We appreciate the time and energy you spent preparing for the live auction and fund-a-need! You brought an energy that was needed at our event. You are Classy, Warm, Kind & Friendly. Looking forward to working with you again.
