As the founder of KARE Consulting, LLC and Eyes on Dementia, she's on a mission to create much needed awareness around elder vision care, brain change and vision. 

Karen is one of six nominees for the International Opticians Award that will be presented at Silmo in September 2026. She was named one of the Most Influential Women of 2026 in the Optical Rising Star and is an ADIRA grant recipient.  She is an international speaker, educator, and advocate. 

Her heart's work is rooted in something deeply personal: her late father was an optician for 76 years — and his legacy became her calling not only in eye care but in the dementia world.

She is the President of the Optical Professionals of Minnesota.  Representing opticians nationally, she is on the Board of Directors for the United Opticians Association board of directors.  Being involved with a number of committees with the OWA, she is committed to sharing and lifting up the rising stars in our industry, our future.

When she's not speaking, advocating or writing, you might find her crafting suncatchers from repurposed eyeglass lenses which funds 

She serves as President of Optical Professionals of Minnesota, sits on the United Opticians Association Board, and is an active member of the Optical Women’s Association as a champion, mentor and leader at every turn.

Karen recently has decided not to retire, but rewire her career. Today, Karen is a leading voice for aging patients, their caregivers, and the professionals who serve them. She founded Eyes on Dementia to bring critical, practical insights to those caring for patients with cognitive decline. Shaped by her own caregiving journey, she is reaching and rallying the industry to raise the standard of care for a population too often overlooked.