Karen obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Africana Studies from Cornell University and her Master's Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in Afro-American Studies. Karen completed additional coursework toward a history Ph.D at the University of Michigan. Currently, she is working toward a graduate certificate in Educational Leadership for Independent Schools at Johns Hopkins University.

Karen held administrative and teaching positions at Friends Seminary (New York, NY) and Bullis School (Potomac, MD) before arriving at Sandy Spring Friends School in 2002. Currently, she is the Assistant Head of the Upper School and teaches two classes - African History and African

American History. She has been on the Board of Trustees of AIMS (Association of Maryland Schools) since 2006 and will serve as its Secretarybeginning in Fall 2008. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Seneca Academy and the Circle School.

Karen is married with two beautiful children.