Karen oversees the day-to-day execution of the Midwest team’s policy-related grantmaking and projects, while ensuring alignment with overall program strategy and goals. Through project management, program development, and support for partner relations, Karen manages the workflow of the Midwest’s policy-related efforts, and improves collaboration and strategic alignment within the region and with EF’s National Policy programs.

Most recently, Karen was a Researcher at the Bezos Earth Fund, where she helped develop a framework for identifying grant opportunities to maximize impact for climate resilience and emissions mitigation for cities and the built environment. Prior to that, she secured support for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for municipalities and conducted environmental and financial analyses as a Climate Corps Fellow with Sustainable Jersey through the Environmental Defense Fund. Karen previously served as Creative Director for Blue Planet Network, an NGO advancing international WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) projects, and has worked as a consultant for several environmental organizations.