Founded by Karen Buchwald Wright, as a private family foundation, in 2009, Ariel Foundation supports people and projects focused on improving the quality of life, and helping those who help themselves, in the Mount Vernon, Ohio area.

The Ariel Foundation will sustain the philanthropic vision of founder, Karen Buchwald Wright, toward the quality of life and opportunity in her hometown, Mount Vernon, Ohio. The foundation will concentrate its efforts on the arts, education, parks and the pursuit of happiness. The foundation partners with other groups and organizations to achieve results the whole community can share and enjoy.

Karen Buchwald Wright
Supervising Director and Chairman, President

Karen Buchwald was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, lived in Springfield Ohio from age 4-12, and returned with her family to Mount Vernon in 1966, the same year Ariel Corporation was founded. Karen graduated from St Olaf College, Northfield, MN with a degree in Ethology (wildlife research), and moved back to Mount Vernon in 1980 to begin her career at Ariel Corporation. From 1983 to 1997, she worked part time while raising her four sons. She believes her experience juggling motherhood, part time work in the family business and the general onslaughts of life, served as the best training possible for her current job, since 2001, as the Chairman, President and CEO of Ariel.

Because of Ariel Corporation's success and Karen's deep seated belief in the necessity to give back, or "pay it forward", she has always given both time and money toward those organizations which help others help themselves or which give a leg up to those life has knocked out of the saddle. Putting the Ariel Foundation in place was a natural extension of a lifelong inclination and a hope to leave the world a little better than it was before she passed this way. It also insures the continuation of Karen's aspiration and vision for her hometown for generations to come

Tom Rastin
Director and Vice Chairman, Vice President

Tom Rastin was born in Tabriz, Iran. At the age of ten he began visiting the USA every summer to train with a swim team in Lafayette, LA where he lived with the team coach. His father was the head of the Iranian Swimming Federation and hoped his son would learn both English and swimming. At the time, Iran was a trading partner and ally of America. When the Iranian Revolution (1978) transpired, Tom was already in college at Louisiana State University and was able to stay in the United States. He eventually achieved a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering and became a citizen of the USA in his early 20's.

Tom began his career at Ariel Corporation in 1994 as an applications engineer and today is the Vice President of Engineering, Sales, and Marketing. His experience, as a first generation American has instilled deep gratitude for the unique opportunity that only America offers to people of every kind and background. He believes in providing the same opportunities for succeeding generations. He has set up a specific scholarship fund for engineering and is also involved in personally funding education and coaching for youth who need help to get on the "right" path. Additionally, Tom has often funded projects for Mount Vernon's First Responders (police, fire fighters, EMT's) for health and wellbeing and better equipment to do their jobs. The Ariel Foundation will ensure that Tom's philanthropy will continue into the future.

Tom is married to Karen Buchwald Wright.