Meet Matthew

When Matt Karl retired from a long and accomplished career in commercial real estate, he didn’t plan to fade quietly into rest and relaxation. He knew he wanted to stay busy – but more importantly, he wanted to give back. What he found in his post-retirement chapter was something unexpected, humbling and deeply rewarding: the simple power of showing up.

For the past few years, Matt has been a steady presence at Laura Baker Services Association. Most Tuesdays, you’ll find him in the kitchen, up to his elbows in dishwater. It may not sound glamorous, but to him, it’s one of the best parts of his week.

“It’s therapeutic,” he says. “You take a mess and leave it clean. You get something done. That feeling of order – of finishing something – it really means something.”

Matt brings a rare dual perspective to the organization. On one hand, he’s at the sink, scrubbing pans and talking with staff. On the other, he’s reading financial statements, analyzing reimbursement models and helping strategize new revenue streams to keep the nonprofit sustainable, serving on the Board of Trustees chairing the Financial Innovation Task Force and preparing to step into the role of Treasurer.

He’s acutely aware of the challenges Laura Baker faces, especially in funding services that often go undercompensated. “We lose money on our Intermediate Care Facility,” he explains. “For every dollar we spend, we’re reimbursed just $0.67. We make up that shortfall through fundraising, grants and by building new business lines like music therapy and behavioral health that can generate some revenue.”

Despite the complexity of the financial side, it’s the human connections that keep Matthew coming back.

In respite care, he works with clients who often think and behave in ways that stretch traditional understandings of communication and patience. He recalls one child who delighted in destruction – the crunch of leaves, the snap of a twig and the ripping of paper. “It reminded me that not everyone thinks like I do,” he says. “And that’s something we should all remember, even if we sometimes forget.”

One memory that stands out: a chaotic moment when the child began throwing rocks, unintentionally damaging a car. Matt immediately took responsibility, offering to pay for repairs. “You look away for three seconds, and things can unravel,” he says. “But that’s part of the learning.”

These experiences have changed him. They’ve taught him humility, empathy and how to measure success in new ways – not in deals closed, but in relationships built, lessons learned and support given.

What sets Matt apart isn’t just his willingness to help – it’s his perspective. He recognizes that showing up matters, whether you’re balancing the books or balancing a tray of clean dishes. And he believes strongly in the power of community: that when everyone contributes – even in small ways – the impact can be profound.