Karen has served for the past 35 years as a change-maker in governmental and social justice organizations throughout North Carolina, Georgia and Texas. She was the President and CEO of Safe Alliance in Charlotte for nine years and also has a range of experience as a Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Development Officer and Chief Program Officer. Additionally, Karen worked in several statewide positions where she conducted board and staff leadership training and development; led planning and assessment initiatives; and managed a variety of special projects. She loves helping nonprofits grow their community impact.

In 2009, Karen was appointed by Governor Beverly Perdue to chair the North Carolina Domestic Violence Commission. She is also a past board co-chair of the North Carolina Coalition against Domestic Violence. Currently Karen is board co-chair of Race Matters for Juvenile Justice and board secretary of the UUCC Memorial Endowment Trust.

In 2017, Karen was awarded the Peter Gilcrest Lifetime Achievement award from the Crime Victim’s Coalition. In 2019, she was honored for her equity and diversity work when she was recognized by Leading on Opportunity as an Inaugural Opportunity Champion and by the Charlotte Association of Fundraising Professionals as Outstanding Champion of Diversity. In 2022, Karen was presented the Dogwood Award from Attorney General Josh Stein in recognition of her work to make communities safer, stronger and healthier.