A Beautiful Me's
founder, Karen Palka,
is a mother of three children,
one son and two daughters. In 1991 she formed a graphic design studio, Carousel Creations, only two days before her eldest child was born.

Throughout her journey, she began to realize her own self-worth at the age of 41. As she watched her own daughters and their friends grow, Karen had an overwhelming feeling laid on her heart that her community was in need of knowledge toward self-esteem and independence. In January of 2008, research began to find a self-esteem, mentoring organization that currently existed, but none of them met the criteria that was laid on her heart.

On April 24, 2008 Articles of Incorporation were filed for A Beautiful Me. Days later, Karen attended a non-profit seminar in Lansing, Michigan as she dove directly into the world of 'Not for Profit.' Over the summer of 2008, many friends, business owners and acquaintances were asked questions and gave input as the direction of A Beautiful Me metamorphosized.

On September 1, 2008, during the Michigan Peach Festival, the ground breaking efforts for A Beautiful Me were announced as many young ladies and women marched in the Floral Parade.

On March 5, 2010, an official letter from the IRS states that A Beautiful Me has officially received tax exempt status as a 501(c)3.

Board of Directors

DEBRA ARCHUTOWSKI, Treasurer
Debra is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in emergency management. Her previous work experience includes serving as a work perk specialist for National City Bank.

Debra is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). She also has 10 years’ Judicial District Court experience and more than 20 years’ involvement in community volunteerism.

Debra became involved with A Beautiful Me after she saw the vision and passion of the program to empower girls and let their voices be heard. After growing up in an age of “girls are seen and not heard,” she especially appreciates the group’s philosophy. She volunteers to watch the girls grow during workshops and to help girls of all ages and realize their potential and develop a strong belief in themselves.

MELISSA BRANDT, Trustee
Melissa is a full-time student in the nursing program at Oakland University, with a graduation date of 2012. She also is a part-time nurse extern at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland.

Melissa has been involved in children’s ministry at Community Christian Church in Sterling Heights and attends Woodside Bible Church in Troy.

One of the many ways Melissa volunteers is as a mentor for A Beautiful Me.

JOHN FIGURSKI, Trustee
John has 28 years’ experience in upper management. He is the service manager at Vehicle City Harley-Davidson in Flint.

John is an active community volunteer. He has served on several community boards, including Romeo Skate Park Committee, Toastmasters Confident Communicators Club and as president of Woodfield Homeowners Association. In 2010, he is serving on the board for the St. Baldrick’s cancer fundraising event. John’s community involvement also extends to building play structures for the local school district and participating in the Romeo Renegades Softball Club, WBRW Local Channel 6, Parks and Recreation, Relay for Life, Autism Speaks, St. Baldrick’s, Romeo Film Production Office, City of Utica Easter Egg Hunt and the Committee to Elect Dan O’Leary as Washington Supervisor.

John lives in Washington, MI, with his wife and three children. Their daughters Michelle and Christina are actively involved with A Beautiful Me—Michelle is a mentor and Christina is a participant.

JANET REILLY GOLOCHOWICZ, Trustee
Janet has 30 years’ experience in business. She started her career working for a private business as a billing clerk to an accounting manager and finished her tenure there as operations manager. Janet now is an independent distributor of SendOut Cards and works part-time as a travel agent. She graduated from Oakland University with a degree focused on training, development, business administration, labor and employment.

Janet is a member of the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce; she has served as an ambassador and as the communications officer of a Chamber networking group for the past year. She will be the group’s chairperson in 2010. She is also a member of Local Business Network (LBN) and has served as the chapter secretary for more than a year.

Janet has supported A Beautiful Me as a mentor, starting with the initial workshop in 2009, followed by two subsequent workshops.

DEBBIE MAJCHRZAK, Secretary
Debbie has owned and operated Sterling Printing & Graphics in Sterling Heights for more than 20 years.

Debbie is very active in her community of Romeo. She has served as a board member of the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce for more than eight years and also is a member of the Romeo Goodfellows. She has served as the Chairperson for the Romeo Area Relay for Life and continues to be active with her support toward that cause. She also is an active supporter of Families Exploring Down Syndrome, Jamie’s Smile and “Metro Parent” magazine. 

Debbie’s strong belief in community support for young women is a driving force behind her support as a mentor for A Beautiful Me.

KAREN PALKA, President / Chairperson
Karen received a degree in commercial art and worked for several advertising companies. Her artistic flair led her to open her own business, Carousel Creations—she has been the creative director and sole proprietor since 1991. Her most recent large-scaled project to market and brand was the first annual “Blue Water Film Festival” in Port Huron.

Karen understands the value of giving back, and volunteerism has been a great passion in her life. She currently serves as a founding member of the Toastmasters' Confident Communicators Club, as a board member of the Greater Romeo-Washington Chamber of Commerce, as a co-chair of the Romeo High School Beautification Project, as a past Washington Elementary School PTO president, and as a past member of the Romeo Skatepark Committee.

Karen’s volunteer passion now is focused on A Beautiful Me. She is excited about the program’s potential and the positive direction it can lead young women toward confidence and empowerment.

KERRY SIMONETTI, Vice-President
Kerry has driven a bus for Utica and Romeo Community Schools. She now drives for the Macomb Intermediate School District special needs children and is a licensed insurance agent for First Independent Insurance Agency.

Kerry has had the opportunity to volunteer in her three children’s schools as they completed their K-12 education.

Kerry’s strong passion to help build and grow A Beautiful Me centers around her struggles as a young woman in junior and senior high school. She volunteers with the group to help empower young girls’ lives by helping them through their own struggles. She also values the opportunity volunteerism has given her to bond with her daughter as she experiences her own struggles as a young woman.