Meet Karen, Candidate for Re-election
Karen, Stephen, and Madeleine (Bare Meadow)
Karen has been a proud Reading resident,parent and volunteer for over 30 years. A Massachusetts native, she was born in Salem and graduated the Lynn Public Schools. Karen went on to attend Boston College and earned her MBA from Bentley University.
Public service runs in the family. She is the granddaughter of a WWII veteran and Lynn Fire Chief, and the daughter of former teacher, and MA Department of Employment Services Director, as well as a father who was a small business owner and later a proud IUE-CWA Union Member at GE Aviation in Lynn. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work, service and fighting for those who have been disadvantaged and are struggling to make ends meet.
Karen and her husband Stephen moved to reading and got involved early on. They were both supporters of the sorely needed Wood End School and were hands on fundraisers and builders of the community’s first accessible playground at the property. Karen joined the PTO’s at each school and served on the Wood End School Council. Karen has served as an elected Town Meeting Member in Precinct 8 for almost 25 years. Her deep understanding of our local government comes from many years on the Historical Committee, the Finance Committee, and Ad Hoc Solid Waste Committee and Tax Classification Committee. As a current Select Board Member she makes a point to attend MA Municipal Conferences, is a member of the Fiscal Policy Committee and Director for the Women Elected Municipal Officers (WEMO). These investments allow Karen to bring practical expertise and knowledge back to the Reading Select Board and to advocate for the Town of Reading at the State level.
While Reading held family ties for Karen as her grandmother lived locally for a time, this is an active family so the open space, as well as the excellent public schools and the historic small town feel were important. They also respected that Reading was known to be a fiscally well-managed community. Karen’s early career was as an information technology specialist, rising in 15 years form from a software developer, project manager, business development specialist to a three year stint with one of the world’s largest business consulting firms advising Fortune 500 companies locally and abroad.
Karen and Steve were proud Reading Public Schools K-12 parents and enjoyed many years as RPS PTO, Choral, and Drama supporters.
Karen eventually shifted careers from technology/management consulting to being a small business owner. Karen is a 23 year, award-winning real estate professional who also has serves on the MA Association of Realtors Fiscal policy committee.
Karen has volunteered with the RMHS and Coolidge PTO’s and drama organizations, the Wood End School Council, and taught CCD at St. Athanasius. Karen has been appointed to and served on the Solid Waste Committee, the Tax Classification Committee, the Reading Historical commission and the Library Building committee. All of this experience has enabled Karen to be a productive and collaborative member of the Reading Select Board.
In her spare time, Karen enjoys gardening and is a frequent visitor to the Reading Town Forest, Bare Meadow, and the Reading Town Trails. She is also a former competitive figure skater and a passionate equestrian who held Pentucket Pony Club leadership positions for a number of years. She taught dozens of youths and their parents' horsemanship.
Karen’s Experience
Select Board, March 2020-present
Chair, 2021-2022
Vice-Chair, 2022-present
VASC 2020-2021
Town Manager Screening Committee, 2022
Killam School Building Committee, 2022-present
Finance Committee, 2012-2015, 2018-2020
Library Building Committee, 2014-2015
Town Meeting Member, 2001-present, Precinct Chair, 2 Years
Reading Historical Commission, Associate Member, 3 years
Reading Scholarship Foundation, Director 2017-present
Wood End School Council, 2009-2011
Ad Hoc Tax Classification Committee, 2008
Ad Hoc Solid Waste Committee, 2005
MBA, Bentley University, BA, Boston College, Philosophy/Computer Science
Small business owner, RE/MAX Broker/Realtor, 2003-present
MA Assoc of Realtors, SPC, assigned to Brad Jones