As a staff accountant within Caterpillar Inc.’s Defense Division, Kari Ray has made an immediate impact with her ability, professionalism, technical proficiency and can-do demeanor. She continually goes above and beyond the scope of her position, seeking out opportunities to serve others within the business and the community, including representing her business unit on a division-wide employee engagement team. In her previous position as treasury accountant with Coulter Companies, she implemented numerous complex payment systems which ultimately improved transparency and efficiency and delivered significant cost savings. She earned her Six Sigma Green Belt in 2015 and completed her MBA in 2020.
Ray’s involvement in the community is widespread. She currently serves as secretary on the Executive Board for Young Professionals of Greater Peoria (YPGP) and co-chairs the social committee in charge of organizing monthly socials at local businesses. She also serves on the planning committee for YPGP’s signature event, Monster Bash, which raises funds for a different local charity each year, and was instrumental in helping the group determine how to hold an effective event in spite of COVID-19. She is involved with the Peoria Friendship House’s largest fundraising event, Over the Edge Peoria, and became chair of the event in 2020. She previously served on the board of the Central Illinois Autism Association and has devoted time to Easterseals Central Illinois, volunteering at the Black & Blue Ball, Wines in the Warehouse and the Easterseals Telethon.
In her home community of Metamora, she coaches her son’s youth soccer team and has served as sponsorship coordinator for the Germantown Hills Athletic Association. She is a past volunteer for Junior Achievement at Metamora Grade School and has been involved with the Metamora to Peoria St. Jude Runs team since 2016.PM
