Karen joined the WSLC staff in April 2011 as Political Director. In this position, she will draft, implement and direct the political efforts of the largest labor federation in the state, representing approximately 500 local unions and 400,000 rank-and-file members.

As Political Director, Karen's main areas of responsibility include candidate recruitment, assessment and endorsement input; building internal programs to support WSLC-endorsed candidates; assisting affiliated organizations with the development of their own membership action programs; and developing voter registration and political action curricula. In addition, Karen works with the WSLC's lobbying team in Olympia on election-related issues, and assists with developing grassroots involvement in the legislative arena.

Since 2005, she has served as Political Director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, a WSLC affiliate, which represents more than 35,000 members working in grocery store, retail, health care, and other industry jobs. Prior to joining UFCW Local 21, she was Political Organizer for the M.L. King County Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Karen and her husband, Daniel, live in Seattle.