After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Karen moved to Rome, Italy. She opened an English language book shop in Piazza di Spagna which became the largest English language book shop on the Continent. After living in Europe for 20 years she moved to Jackson in 1983. She opened The Travel Consultants and managed the firm from its inception to the sale of the business in 1989. She is serving her third term as Chair of the Community Foundation Board and serves on their Investment and Executive Committees.