Karen’s Native heritage also includes Chippewa, Choctaw, Creek and Sioux tribes. Karen graduated from Lewis & Clark College in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration. As a college student intern, she worked at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) until retirement in 2019. Karen held many positions during her BPA tenure with her last being Customer Support Services Director and the American Indian/Alaskan Native Council Chairperson. She lives just outside of Portland with her husband and enjoys volunteering, golfing, watching her new grandchild, and other family and sport activities.