Danialle Karmanos is an American philanthropist, humanitarian, activist, and social entrepreneur.
Early life and education
Karmanos grew up in Michigan in the Dearborn area. She graduated from Dearborn High School in 1991. She received her undergraduate degree from Wayne State University in 1998.[1]
Career
Karmanos' early work was first as a spokesperson for the auto industry.[1] From 2002 to 2005, Karmanos produced and directed concept car reveals for North American International Auto Show.[2] In 2006, she wrote, co-produced, and directed the award-winning "I Am Detroit" for Compuware Corporation.[3]
She is primarily known for her work helping people in the Detroit area. In 2009, she told the New York Times that she woke up each day asking how she can help the area.[4] In 2005, Karmanos founded Danialle Karmanos Work It Out (DKWIO),[5][6] and ten years later she talked about how the program was reducing bullying in schools.[7] In 2015, Karmanos and her husband, Peter Karmanos Jr., established the Karmanos Center for Natural Birth at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.[8] That same year, she donated funds to Wayne State University to establish a journalism program.[9][10] In 2017, Karmanos founded The Cuddlers, a volunteer-based movement started at Children's Hospital of Michigan to cuddle and comfort hospitalized infants and children.[11]
Karmanos has been a columnist for Styleline Magazine[12] and a guest blogger for Metromodemedia.com.[13] She is the author of the hardcover book about her husband entitled, Pete Karmanos – A Life in Progress.[14]
Karmanos was elected to the Wayne State University Board of Governors and served from 2011 to 2013.[15] She was named by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve on the Michigan Film Office Advisory Council in 2008.[16] Karmanos currently serves on the board of trustees for the College for Creative Studies,[17] the Board of Directors for the Michigan Opera Theatre[18] and is a founding member, board member and former Chair of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Karmanos is also a member of the Leadership Advisory Board of the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research Institute at the University of Michigan[19] and serves on the Board Development Committee of the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.[20]
Karmanos has also received numerous awards for her community service, philanthropy and contributions to the metropolitan Detroit community. She received the American Heart Association's "Cor Vitae Award" for community service; The Matilda R. Wilson Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan; the MBPA Women and Leadership's "Distinguished Leadership Award for Philanthropy;" and the Greater Wayne County Chapter of The Links' "Innovator in Health and Wellness" award.[citation needed]
In 2007, Karmanos was named to Crain's Detroit Business' "40 Under 40" list of young achievers in recognition of her career achievements.[23]
