Karen was born and raised in the industrial belt of Scotland, where community was important and helping your neighbour was an every day thing. Both her parents came from large families and she has too many cousins to count. As she grew up things changed and they had limited contact with family, so she rarely saw her cousins, and her experience and understanding of family changed. Karen has always tried to create a community of good friends who are like family where ever she goes.

Karen has always had jobs that have a strong social component, and she found in her work in the church that she spends a lot of time being sociable with people.

Karen served in pastoral ministry for 15 years in pastoral ministry in BC before coming to Alberta, first to serve in the Office of Vocation, and now as the Regional Minister for Chinook Winds Region of The United Church of Canada.