Karen is a graduate of the Family of the Leadership Series 2016-2017 class. During Karen’s series, she had a” light bulb” moment that allowed her to self-reflect and became self-aware of her own biases and barriers that were not allowing her child to fulfill her most tremendous potential. Subsequently, Karen immersed herself in professional development. Karen completed the Federation for Children with Special Needs Parent Consultant Training, became a SESP, passed the Council Of Parent Attorney and Advocates (COPAA) SEAT 2.0 Training, participated in Creating Our Commonwealth, now known as the Pathways to Friendship Initiative. Her passion for advocacy and desire to” never let a parent feel the way she did,” helpless, alone, overwhelmed, and isolated has driven her to re-establish the Taunton SEPAC in 2017 with another parent. She was Co-Chair for four years, leading to recognition from a local organization, Girls Inc. This Love of Life Award is given to individuals who commit to service and leadership in honor of Dr. Darlene Costa Brown. This drive, willingness to share, and speaking from the heart led Kathleen Amaral to ask Karen to join the S.E. Family Leadership Series as an outreach coordinator in 2018. She has recently stepped down from the role of Co-Chair to focus on her special education advocacy business and to allow other’s voices to lead the way.
Karen believes in welcoming everyone to the table and that all voices are influential. She enjoys being a conduit to knowledge, resources, and support that empowers family members and individuals. She attributes her ability to adapt to many personalities and situations to years of waiting tables and bartending. When asked “If a friend were to describe you, what would they say?” She responded with forthcoming, genuine, assertive, a good conversationalist, and someone who knows useless information.
