Karen serves as the Senior Director of Transportation and Planning at the Tampa Downtown Partnership. In her role, Karen manages all aspects of transportation, parking access and planning efforts throughout Tampa’s Downtown. Karen leads the Partnership’s Transportation and Planning & Development Committees. Karen, a certified Cycling Instructor, has been successful in advocating for and bringing varied options such as bike parking, electric vehicle charging stations, bike/scooter share, carshare, and other mobility options. She has led several planning studies designed to enhance Tampa’s urban fabric.

Acknowledging her efforts, Karen was honored by the Suncoast Chapter of the American Planning Association as Planner of the Year in 2014 and in 2017 she was appointed as a Planning Commissioner by the City of Tampa. 

Previously, Karen worked in transportation demand management, marketing, human resources and event planning. 

For over twenty years she has actively volunteered for the Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors program. A native of Ohio and Political Science graduate of Ohio University, Karen moved to Tampa in the mid-1990’s and loves her family’s own little slice of paradise on the Hillsborough River.