Karene A. Putney is the Founder and President of Etiquette Etiquette Foundation, Inc., a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating leadership, character development, and professional presence among youth. As President and Board Director, she provides strategic vision and program leadership while ensuring the Foundation remains mission-driven and structurally sound.

Karene founded the Foundation in 2025 after recognizing a growing need for structured youth development that extends beyond academics. She observed that many young people lacked access to formal guidance in confidence-building, social awareness, professional communication, and leadership presence. The Foundation was established to close that gap and to provide transformative experiences rooted in refinement, discipline, and character.

She is also the founder of Etiquette Etiquette®, a licensed and registered etiquette education brand established in 2020. In 2019, Karene completed professional training and licensing through The Protocol School of Washington. Through her work, she has developed structured etiquette and professional development programming that teaches youth essential life skills including communication, dining etiquette, grooming, business etiquette, leadership confidence, and social responsibility.

In 2024, Karene served as a lead etiquette trainer in the Angela Alsobrooks Summer Passport Experience, where she and her team provided one-on-one etiquette, professionalism, and leadership training to more than 60 youth participants. This experience strengthened her commitment to expanding access to structured refinement education within communities.

Karene believes that etiquette is not about elitism — it is about preparation. Her vision is to cultivate a generation of well-polished young men and women who move through academic, professional, and civic spaces with poise, integrity, and purpose.

Through the Etiquette Etiquette Foundation, she is committed to building sustainable programs, strategic partnerships, and measurable outcomes that create long-term community impact.

Jacqueline Forbes serves as Interim Treasurer for the Etiquette Etiquette Foundation, Inc., providing financial oversight and governance support during the Foundation’s structural development phase. She is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 20 years of combined experience in healthcare program management and operational leadership.

Her expertise includes regulatory compliance, business continuity, organizational systems, and operational accountability. Having worked across New York City and Washington, DC, Ms. Forbes has advised internal and external leadership teams on strengthening compliance structures and improving organizational performance.

In her role with the Foundation, she reviews financial reporting, monitors fiscal procedures, and supports the Board in maintaining transparency and responsible stewardship. Her disciplined approach and commitment to integrity contribute to the Foundation’s long-term stability and community impact.

Torene A. Butterfield serves as Secretary for the Etiquette Etiquette Foundation, Inc., supporting organizational coordination and governance documentation.
She attended the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School and earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy as a Midshipman, demonstrating strong academic discipline and leadership potential.

Torene brings a global perspective shaped by her studies in French and Mandarin, along with a deep interest in diplomacy, communication, and leadership development. She continues to pursue pathways aligned with service, excellence, and national leadership.