Karen was born and raised in Centreville, VA. She attended her first year of college at Virginia Tech, but transferred to California for the remainder of her education. She double majored in psychology and Deaf studies at California State University Northridge and then earned her Master’s degree and Doctorate in Clinical Community Psychology from University of La Verne in Los Angeles county. Karen returned to the East coast for her post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at University of Virginia. She began her career in clinical neuropsychology where she worked to diagnose and create treatment plans for clients struggling with cognitive issues, like Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Karen is passionate about helping as many people as possible understand the unique ways that their brains work so that they can be more efficient and less stressed. She owns Brain Power Advisors and Brain Power Youth where she helps business leaders and student athletes, respectively, learn to use their thinking strengths to benefit them in life.

Karen joined Rotary in 2018 soon after starting her first business.  She very quickly found her home in Rotary and has enjoyed interacting with Rotarians across the district through public speaking and make-up meetings.  In her short time, she has served her club in roles such as membership chair, fundraising chair, Vice President and President. She has also served at the district level as trainer, conference chair, assistant governor, and on the membership committee.  Karen is an RLI graduate and facilitator and was part of a zone 33 team that helped update the curriculum and transition to online RLI classes. She currently serves as the MAP ambassador for zone 33. Karen is a Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Society Member. She has also signed the Polio Plus Promise.

Karen is the mother of two daughters. She currently lives in Summerfield. She is also an adventurer; she was recently part of a group that raised funds to start a cervical cancer screening clinic in a remote region of Tanzania and while there, she and her team climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, playing piano, and playing poker.