Posted: Jan. 5, 2010

As executive director of Waukesha's Business Improvement District, Karen Richards is focused on downtown and its limitless possibilities. "As the downtown goes, so goes the city," said Richards. A mother of three, Richards wanted to be a teacher when she was growing up but was attracted to marketing and public relations as she got older. It's hard to believe downtown Waukesha's biggest advocate was once a shy child.

Learn more about Karen in the following paragraphs as Waukesha NOW presents its latest installment of Meet Your Neighbor.

What makes you good at your job? Passion and dedication. I really love downtown Waukesha. I believe that as the downtown goes, so goes the city. If the downtown is a successful business district, the entire community benefits...and the downtown becomes successful as the community embraces it as a great place to live, work, shop, eat and play.

Give us a brief bio (Where you grew up, where you live now, school, spouse, kids, etc.): I grew up mainly in the Milwaukee area. I also lived in Iowa and Missouri as a child. My father worked for the railroad and it seemed that we moved a lot. I attended six different schools before graduating from New Berlin Eisenhower High School. I also graduated with a BA from UW-Madison. I have lived in Waukesha since 1991 when my husband and I bought our first house here. I am married to Mike and we have three wonderful children; Daniel, Ryan and Michaela.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a young child, I don't recall being aware of many different career options, but I remember thinking that I wanted to be a teacher. I admired my third and fourth grade teachers and I wanted to be like them.

What would you do if you couldn't be what you are now? I have many varied interests and I would enjoy marketing and public relations related to my interests. I also like to learn, so I would consider furthering my education and learning more about health, pharmacy, education, finance, architecture or design.

What's the best advice you ever got? Follow your passions.

Who's the wisest person you know? I know many wise people.

How do you spend your free time? I like to enjoy time with my family and friends. I also like to run, bike, read, and work on home improvement and decorating projects.

What are you passionate about? Besides downtown Waukesha, I am passionate about my family, health, and my community.

If you won the lottery today, what would you do tomorrow? I would eliminate my debt and plan a wonderful "thank you" party or vacation for my family, friends and people who have had a positive impact on my life. I would set up trust funds for my children and a foundation for causes near and dear to my heart. My husband and I would plan vacations to places we've wanted to see. Then I would pursue the purchase and renovation of properties in downtown Waukesha.

If you could invite anyone, past or present, to dinner, who would you invite? I would invite my mother and father. My father passed away this year and I would love to enjoy more conversations with him! And I always enjoy spending time with my mother.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? That I was very shy as a child.

Words to live by: If you think you can, you CAN; if you think you can't, you're right.

Proudest moment: The births of my children

Describe your perfect day: I would wake up without an alarm clock, run five miles, get pampered at a spa, enjoy a healthy lunch with friends while my house is being cleaned, shop with my daughter, and actually have a lovely dinner and conversations with my family without anyone rushing out for practice, meetings or work.

How would you like to be remembered? As someone who had a positive influence on her family, friends, and community