A native of Toledo, Ohio, Karen received her undergraduate degree in Applied Business from the University of Toledo and her graduate degree in Organizational Leadership from Lourdes University. 

Karen's extensive early background in retail multi-store management and niche restaurant management has equipped her with unique expertise to enhance every corner of the hospitality industry. Her career is marked by a proven success in managing programs and teams from conception to implementation, consistently achieving organizational goals and fostering a culture of excellence.   

In 2005, Karen founded the Toledo Restaurant Training Center, an occupational skills training facility. Under her leadership, the center achieved state certification and became a post-secondary school recognized by the state of Ohio and the Department of Education. She successfully trained and certified over 1,000 students in hospitality, food safety and restaurant management, significantly contributing to the industry’s talent pool.  With a career that spans the corporate public, private, and non-profit sectors, Karen is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on small business development, organizational leadership, and restaurant consulting. 

Karen leverages her expertise and commitment to excellence to support and empower entrepreneurs, driving the success of small businesses and contributing to the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her strong interpersonal and communication skills enable her to foster an environment of teamwork and mutual understanding, connecting with stakeholders, building relationships, and identifying opportunities for collaboration to achieve collective goals.