TAUW LEGENDS: Karl Neumaier
The TAUW Legends video series preserves the voices and stories of those who shaped our first century of service. As part of our Centennial celebration, Jesse Boudiette, president of Propeller Consulting and Centennial Committee member, sat down with Karl Neumaier, who co-chaired the 2023 annual fundraiser with Kathy Taylor.
Join us in continuing Karl’s legacy of compassion and community impact. Your gift today in honor of Karl helps write the next chapter of our story, ensuring that future generations will have access to the same life-changing services that have touched so many lives over the past century.
INterview highlights
Jesse Boudiette: All right, let’s go to the beginning. How did you first get involved with Tulsa Area United Way?
Karl Neumaier: Honestly, I was raised by parents who believed in helping people out who need a hand up, not necessarily a handout, but the hand-up mentality. And as I learned more about Tulsa Area United Way over the subsequent years, I realized that’s exactly what we do here—we help people out. I love Alison Anthony. A couple of years ago, she did a video where she talked about how everybody needs help sometimes, and that really resonated with me, really solidified it in my mind. That’s why I started. I was just asked and invited, and from my upbringing, I knew that this was something I was supposed to do. I’m in a position where I’ve been able to work and be successful, so I feel obligated to give back and help the community get better because there are other people who haven’t been as lucky as I have in life.
Jesse: You mentioned your volunteering and involvement began in 2010, so it’s been about 14 years. Are there any highlights for you—projects, programs, or years that really stand out or things still having an impact today?
Karl: Hilti was recognized several years ago when we launched what I’d call an at-scale internship program for high school students. Honestly, I went through the blocking and tackling, helping the team set it all up. But when we did the video at the end, and when we talked about how well the kids did in the community as part of the United Way campaign that year, it was incredible. We held final presentations where these young adults—some 18 years old, some 17—came in and talked about the work they did. You could see the light bulbs go off in their minds as they realized, “I could really be more than I had previously thought I was.” It was quite emotional for all of us to see these young adults having this experience with us. We hadn’t realized just how impactful we had been, helping them have what was more than just an internship, maybe even a life-changing experience that shifted their longer-term direction.
I think that combination of emotional connection and operational support helps connect the dots between different organizations. As I mentioned, they’re interested in seeing what other organizations do so they can partner. And of course, yes, there’s the money part, right? But everyone needs to do what they can. Sometimes it’s financial, sometimes it’s with your mind, and sometimes it’s with your hands.