Karen attended the University of Wisconsin – Stout, majoring in fashion merchandising. In the early 70’s she relocated to Denver, Colorado where she worked in the technology sector for several major computer companies in administrative management and sales support roles. Karen made a change in her career with a successful transition to the real estate sector in both residential and later in the commercial real estate market handling property management for the most prominent developer in Denver. 

In 2004, Karen and her husband relocated to Florida where she returned to her love of fashion merchandising, working with several unique specialty fashion houses. In 2015 she retired and in 2020 moved to Aiken, South Carolina. Since moving to Aiken, Karen has spent considerable time working with local non-profits including Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue