Event Co-Chair, 2025 Michigan Medicine Women’s Health Luncheon

Karen MacDonald-Basile, a Michigan native, has spent her career combining creativity with compassion making her mark as a specialty apparel designer and entrepreneur. As the founder and owner of Wrapped in Love, Karen designs clothing and accessories specifically for women undergoing cancer treatments or dealing with other illnesses. Established in 2015, Wrapped in Love offers innovative and thoughtful products like chemotherapy port-accessible wraps, head wraps for hair loss, and PICC line sleeves. These pieces are designed to provide warmth, comfort, style, and dignity to women navigating treatment and recovery.

Before launching Wrapped in Love, Karen contributed to the health care industry as a specialty apparel designer at Healthmark Industries. For 10 years, she developed apparel and accessories tailored for health care workers in environments like operating rooms and sterilization units. Her designs balanced strict hospital regulations with elements of personal style, helping health care professionals feel more connected to their colleagues and patients.
Karen also enjoyed a nearly 30-year tenure as director of communications for The Taubman Company, a leader in retail development. There, she led corporate communications, media relations, rebranding efforts, and event planning, including the grand openings of multiple shopping centers. Her role extended to supporting executives, leasing teams, and community initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the organization.

Karen, a graduate of Michigan State University, earned a bachelor of arts degree in advertising with a minor in French. She serves as a board member for the Circus Arts Conservatory and the Michigan Medicine Women’s Health Leadership Board, where she is co-chair of the 2025 Michigan Medicine Women’s Health Luncheon, highlighting her commitment to advancing women’s health initiatives. In addition, Karen actively supports numerous nonprofit organizations, including the Michigan Alzheimer’s Association, Moffitt Cancer Center, the Cancer Resource Network, and Pictures of Hope.

Karen's work has transformed the intersection of style, health care, and philanthropy, empowering women and health care workers alike. Her commitment to enhancing dignity and comfort through design continues to inspire and make a difference in countless lives.

Event Co-Chair, 2025 Michigan Medicine Women’s Health Luncheon

After more than 30 years in the apparel industry, Michigan native Linda Schlesinger-Wagner, was inspired to create a brand that filled a void she felt existed in the women's apparel industry. In 2009, skinnytees™ started with a seamless camisole in a one-size-fits-most silhouette. Schlesinger-Wagner didn't stop there and quickly rolled out a complete line of essential styles that helped redefine the smoothwear industry. Through the years, skinnytees has grown, and is now firmly rooted in the belief of offering a product for all women — all sizes, all colors, and all ages.

Prior to the launch of skinnytees, Schlesinger-Wager successfully ran several fashion brands, including Rainbow Lollipop, a high-end children's boutique; Annie's Antics, a children's knitwear collection; and Annie M Designs, a women's knitwear line. Through her dedication, skinnytees was named to Corp. Magazine's Economic Bright Spot Award in 2017; Inc. Magazine's 5000 Greatest Entrepreneurs of 2017; MichBusiness's Retail Sensations of 2018; and has made numerous appearances on Good Morning America's Deals & Steals. Schlesinger-Wagner is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program and the Edward Lowe Foundation. 

Schlesinger-Wagner is also a longtime advocate for women's and children's charities, actively working with a multitude of nonprofits such as The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Super Saturday, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. She has served as a co-chair for Jewish Vocational Services: Women to Work Program since 2017, when she was honored. She has been involved in the non-profit Pictures of Hope, where she received the Salvation Army Angel Award. She has also been a board member of the Detroit Garment Group since 2019 and is a 2021 Honoree of the Pillars of Birmingham.