From the start of Karen’s career when she was a young academic and a recipient of the Ted Wall Award with ALACD, she has been passionate about opportunities for persons with disabilities, involved in multiple initiatives around the country. Karen worked for 14 years with the Easter Seals Society in the camping sector, with the Niagara Children’s Centre as a Recreation Therapist and a registered Kinesiologist in Active Rehab Clinical settings. She has been a Board member of Ontario Parasport, 2022 Canada Summer Games and remains on the Leadership Advisory Board for the Brock Niagara Penguins.
She has taught at the University level at Laurier and Brock University. Currently, Karen is a lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology at the University
of the Fraser Valley and owns ParaWell Play, a business which supports opportunities for movement, learning and development for persons with disabilities. Her teaching and research interests revolve around biomechanics, disability sport, accessibility and inclusion in sport programming and education, outdoor recreation for special populations and active rehabilitation.
Karen has supported Sport For Life, CPC, CDPP, PHE Canada and various municipalities to develop opportunities and initiatives that enhance the lives of persons living with a disabilities in Canada. For leisure. she is a mother of three and an avid athlete, competing in multiple Ironman triathlons, marathons, trail runs and SwimRun Championships. You show her a body of water and she’s swim it!