Karen has has over 20 years of experience in the disability, absence and workers’ compensation insurance industries with an emphasis on product design, risk financing and process improvement. Her areas of focus include total absence management, captive financing and funding, insurance and financial services strategy, technology improvement, project management and implementation. Prior to joining Spring Consulting Group and Watson Wyatt, Karen led the regional risk & insurance practice for a small consulting firm, held the role of Assistant Risk Manager for one of the nation’s largest banks (U.S. Bank), and was a casualty broker for two of the world’s largest insurance brokers (Marsh and Aon).

Karen has her BBA in Risk Management and Human Resources from University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her MBA in Finance from University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management. She has also earned the designations of CPCU, ARM, ACI, and AU, is on the Executive Advisory Board of the DMEC and is a licensed insurance broker. Among other accolades, Karen has won the Power Broker award from Risk & Insurance several times, most recently for her work related to workers’ compensation.