Carolina Mountain Club announces new president
Schultz steps into the presidency following two years of service as vice president and after working closely with former presidents Les Love and Tom Weaver.
Donated photo
The Carolina Mountain Club announced Karen Schultz as its next president, serving a two-year term from 2026 through 2028.
Schultz steps into the presidency following two years of service as vice president and after working closely with President Les Love and Past President Tom Weaver.
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Schultz is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics and spent 25 years living in Northern Michigan. She brings extensive experience in organizational development, strategic planning and leadership development from her career with Whole Foods Market, where she led human resources and organizational Development for the midwest Region, overseeing eight states and Ontario, Canada. She retired five years ago after a distinguished career.
Schultz and her husband, Ken Scharmann — a fellow CMC member and hike leader — moved to Asheville during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawn by their shared love of hiking, trail running and the outdoors. They joined the CMC before relocating and credit the organization with helping them build community and deepen their connection to the trails and landscapes of Western North Carolina.
