Karen has served with Rafiki since 1990, including 12 years on the mission field, primarily in Nigeria. Upon returning to the U.S., she became the Director of Africa Operations, responsible for managing the Orphan Care and Education Programs and curriculum development for all ten Rafiki Villages. In 2012 she was named Rafiki’s Executive Director.

Prior to joining Rafiki, she worked for ten years in the banking industry as a commercial lender, management trainer, and Vice President. She holds a BBA in finance/accounting and a music minor from Southern Methodist University, a Master’s degree in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) from the University of Texas (Arlington), and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Faulkner University.

Karen is a member of St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida, and served many years as a teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship while in Texas and Africa. Karen served as a founding board member for LifeHouse, a home for unwed mothers in Houston, Texas. She also serves as President of the Rafiki Education Foundation, the umbrella organization of the Rafiki Classical Academy in Eustis, Florida.