Each year the Nevada Women’s Fund hosts an event to recognize extraordinary women in the northern Nevada community. The mission of the Nevada Women’s fund is to remain, “dedicated to strengthening our community by empowering women to improve their lives and those of their families”. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors including community leaders who believe in this mission. PK Electrical’s founder, president, and CEO Karen Purcell serves as Treasurer on the fund’s board. The Nevada Women’s Fund works in two major areas: Educational Scholarships and Community Grant Funding. Community Grants have aided many groups across a wide area of need, while scholarships have helped women in all stages of life who are pursuing higher education. PK Electrical is proud to offer a scholarship to women studying Engineering as their major field of study. This year, we are pleased to sponsor two students who will each receive the full scholarship.
The Salute to Women of Achievement celebrates dedicated, passionate women and their supportive employers. The theme of this year’s event is Courage Spreads Too, intended to salute women who have faced unprecedented challenges and shown courage. While in years past this event has been celebrated in larger fashion, this year with the consideration of COVID-19 the honorees will be treated to a nice breakfast at the Grand Sierra Resort where they may network and enjoy special programming. Employers are then encouraged to host a special internal celebration for their honoree during the virtual luncheon program featuring the NFL’s first female coach, Jen Welter, as keynote speaker. The virtual luncheon will be streamed on ktvn.com starting at 12 pm PST on May 27th.
This year, PK Electrical is honoring our very own Sarah Tracy. After suddenly losing her father to a heart attack at the age of 11 and finding him lying in her hallway, Sarah was introduced to the cardiovascular disease that would plague her family. At the age of 19, Sarah was notified that her 22-year-old sister had not woken up that morning, having died of a heart attack in her sleep. At just 30 years old, Sarah found herself suddenly struggling to catch her breath, and at the advice of a nurse practitioner received an echocardiogram to check her own heart. That day she found out that she, too, had the cardiovascular disease that had taken her father and sister from her. With two young boys, Sarah was determined to fight. Her heart was only pumping out 29% of the blood it was supposed to, so she was fitted with an external pacemaker she had to wear for 23-hours per day. Just three months later her heart was down to 12% and she was fitted with a special pacemaker beating her heart for her. After another six months in treatment, Sarah’s heart was up to 20%, a hopeful turn. Today her heart function is up to 55%, she has been removed from the transplant list, and she is living life and appreciating every moment.
In 2020, Sarah courageously shared her story at the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women luncheon, where she was highlighted in a Salute to Survivor Stories focus. Our offices celebrated with her again this year. The cardiomyopathy gene is hereditary, so she has lived with the fear that it could have passed on to her two now teenage boys. Early this year, she was able to have them screened for the cardiomyopathy gene and received the excellent news that both of her sons tested negative! Sarah could finally rest assured that not only will her sons not develop the heart condition that has plagued her family, but that they will not pass on the gene to their children. The disease ends with Sarah and we believe that her ability to persevere, fight, and keep working through all the doctor’s visits, treatments, and stressors makes her a deserving honoree for this year’s Salute to Women of Achievement.
Sarah’s courage does not end with her personal life, but rather extends to her work life too. Sarah has been a member of the PK Electrical team for 9 years now, and in her role as Office Coordinator she manages the day-to-day operations of our Reno office to keep us looking good and functioning like a well-oiled machine! Many of PK Electrical’s employees look to Sarah as the “office mom”, always prepared, always kind, and always helpful. If you are lucky, she even bakes delicious treats! Entering the PK Electrical Reno office, Sarah is the first face you see, welcoming you in with the warmth of family. Sarah also heads-up the Community Give Back Committee, ensuring our organization is doing its part to support our community and leave a lasting impact. Whether it is organizing a quarterly park clean-up or partnering with schools to participate in “Canstruction”, a canned food design and build competition supporting our local Food Bank, Sarah is always coming up with ideas on how we can go the extra mile. She is the office cheerleader; her support is never ending.
Sarah has been a steadfast team member during the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusting to new protocols and practices and doing everything possible to help keep her teammates safe and healthy. Without the support Sarah provides to the entire PK Electrical team, our office would not be as efficient and organized as it is. When we asked Sarah what makes her a proud member of the PK team, this is what she said:
“The growth of this company amazes me and shows you what kind of success you can have with great leadership that strives for only the best. PK Electrical is my home away from home, and I am beyond blessed to have an employer that genuinely cares about its employees, their clients, and the community.”
We could not have said it better, and we whole heartedly agree. We are so proud of all the obstacles Sarah has conquered and so grateful that we get to call her PK’s own. Here’s to many more wonderful years! Cheers and congratulations, Sarah!