Karen is the Supervisor of the Communications Department for Berrien RESA, overseeing a print shop, district communications, special events, public relations, community outreach and oversee the district’s website and social media accounts. Prior to joining the Berrien RESA team in 2005, Karen worked for the Michigan Legislature as the Communications Director/Special Project Coordinator for State Senators Glenn D. Steil and Valde Garcia. When she left her post after nearly 6 years, she was considered one of the more senior staffer members, having worked during in both pre and post term limit legislative systems. Having been in the school communications industry for over 16 years, Karen has become an active communications professional at the state level. She has served on the Michigan School Public Relations Association Board for 9 years and was President of the chapter from 2018-2020. She also supports multiple statewide initiatives as an advisor and is often called upon to work on special projects by school associations.
Karen has also been recognized nationally. In 2019 she was one of four school communication professionals named as a National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Front-Runner. She has presented multiple times at NSPRA’s National Seminars on a variety of professional school communication topics and has authored numerous articles for state and national publications.
Karen received her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in Communication Arts & Sciences with an emphasis in Organizational and Crisis Communication, and Political Campaign Management and Policy.
Karen is also the mom to two incredible teenage boys and is married to her best friend who also serves public schools as a high school principal. In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time at various Lake Michigan beaches, cheering on her beloved MSU Spartans and Boston Red Sox, and is a self-proclaimed foodie!