CONSULTANT &
AMS CEO
About Karen
Karen Folks, president & CEO of Advanced Municipal Strategies, has
more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, executive management
specialist & non-profit CEO & Consultant all built on an early foundation
as an educator.
Karen has been brought on board in City Attorney, City Administrator,
Non-Profit CEO, and, more recently, County Administrator positions for
organizations that had substantial financial and/or deeply rooted organiza-
tional challenges within tough environments, including work with Emergency
Managers for failing cities.
She has developed and managed multi-million dollar budgets,
implemented reorganizations, litigated complex legal matters, and spear-
headed several successful, innovative & strategic community economic
development initiatives that launched unified, goal-oriented, results-focused
‘movements’ that continue today. Karen’s extensive hands-on, frontline,
problem-solving experience with a broad variety of issues within diverse
and challenging populations set in urban, rural and metropolitan areas has
developed a visionary approach & a wide-range of skill sets.
Karen has served on numerous boards, is a past president of the
Genesee County Bar Association & past chair for the Professional Practice
& Ethics Committee. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, United
States Eastern District Court & United States Supreme Court Bar. Karen
obtained her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and
graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
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Why People Recommend Karen
“Karen Folks is unequivocally one of the most dynamic, forward-thinking individuals I have ever met. Her ability to bring business, government, non-profits, community groups, and individuals together to overcome obstacles and work collaboratively, has been proven time and again.” Bernie W. Former Commission Chair, and Business Entrepreneur, including, Morning Star Communications Group, LLC
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“[I] was immediately impressed with her remarkable outcome driven energy, insightfulness and visionary aptitude. ...... comes on board with fully developed solution-based plans and processes…Ms. Folks is truly a gifted communicator and relationship builder…. Angie S. Finance Director for various cities and counties.
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"...Karen was an excellent City Administrator that worked endlessly to balance the City's budget, eliminate the deficit and build valuable internal and external relationships throughout the city with residents, community groups, and other governmental agencies. ....served on numerous boards and committees....and championed very successful community strategic planning initiatives which continue today. Joyce P. CM, former Deputy State Treasurer of MI, & EM
