After graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in journalism she began a long career as a reporter with newspapers in Boulder, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Karen was recognized for her work on a number of occasions by the Pennsylvania Women’s Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists, Associated Press Managing Editors and Press Club of Western Pennsylvania in the categories of sports, photos, outdoors/environmental, education, and interview/profile.
After transitioning to a full-time freelance writer she became a top contributor to the official website of the U.S. Olympics and Paralympics and authored seven children’s sports books. Sharing news of the humanities in action is now central to her work both as a communications specialist with C.C. Mellor Memorial Library and a content writer and storyteller with PA Humanities.
Karen currently serves on the advisory board of the Swim Up Hill Foundation, founded by Paralympic swimmer Jamal Hill to teach children and adults in low- and middle-income communities how to swim. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and three cats, and loves music, reading, traveling and the outdoors.
