Karen joins The Headstrong Project after serving 17 years as the Vice President of Finance for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its affiliated organizations which include the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. She joined the Conference in 2007 and managed the financial operations of the organizations, including directing the Finance Team, preparing internal and external financial statements, preparing and managing budgets and forecasts, coordinating the annual audit and preparing of the annual tax returns.
Prior to joining the Conference, Karen served a variety of non-profit organizations in the capacity of Controller and Director of Finance, most notable spending 12 years with Hosanna House, Inc. a Community Center located in Wilkinsburg, PA. In her role as Director of Finance, she managed an annual budget in excess of $10M, composed of up to 30 different funding streams including charitable contributions, grants-both governmental and foundation-retail and medical fees for services. Karen has a 30-year track record of working with non-profit organizations to build their financial infrastructures to be strong, stable, and enduring.
Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University. She received her Certified Public Accountant license in 1990. Karen proudly serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh.
A native of Georgia and Louisiana, Karen has made Pittsburgh her home for over 30 years and loves the city and what it has to offer. She resides in Downtown Pittsburgh with her dog, Benny. She has two daughters in the Pittsburgh area, one of whom owns a Veterinary Practice where Karen serves as a Financial Advisor.
