As the new executive director as of April 2018, Karen spends most of her time listening to, watching and learning from her board of directors and highly-skilled team about how Volunteer Alberta can serve as a provincial leader and voice for the nonprofit sector.

Karen’s commitment to the sector is exemplified by the wide range of roles she holds/has held with the McEwan Social Innovation Institute, Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters, Maytree McConnell Foundation, Community Learning Network, Edmonton Community Foundation, Edmonton Mennonite Center for Newcomers, Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council, YOUCAN Edmonton and Boyle Street Community Services. She has also volunteered with many arts, music and cultural organizations and festivals in the Edmonton region.

Karen has volunteered and worked for, with and in the nonprofit sector for more than 30 years. Karen is a life long learner with expertise in collaborative models, partnership brokering, system design, change and project management and coaching young leaders.

Karen loves travel, cuisine, history and culture, hiking, camping and being anywhere in, on or near water. Karen is the proud mother of a spirited teenage daughter who is creating her own life in a curious and courageous manner.