“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

– Anne Frank

Gaia Consulting

“Give me a place to stand, and I will move the Earth.” - Archimedes

Who is Gaia Consulting

Karen brings over 15 years of experience to Gaia Consulting working with nonprofits in a variety of capacities including volunteer, board member, and staff. 

 

 

Karen values the worth of volunteers, realizes the importance of board responsibilities, appreciates operating within a budget, and recognizes the significance of public outreach. 

 She has written and managed budgets of over a million dollars, organized highly successful, large multi-day events, easily and quickly gained 501c3 status, written and researched grants, and developed and worked with hundreds of volunteers.   

“A bone to the dog is not charity. 

Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog. “

~Jack London

Critical to the work, she also has a broad understanding of social, economic, and political issues facing Maine, our nation, our community, and our world.

Who is Karen

Karen was elected to the Scarborough Town Council in November 2008 earning the most votes out of a field of six candidates.  She has a diverse background working in a variety of settings including serving in the United States Marine Corps.  She holds two undergraduate degrees with concentrations in Sociology and Journalism.  Her graduate work is in substance abuse counseling.   Her volunteer work is associated mostly with her long-running (12 years), successful talk/public affairs radio show, Sound Ecology, on WMPG Community Radio in Portland (she is currently on sabbatical).  Karen is mom to her 18 year old son, Zach, who is attending college at the University of Southern Maine.  She has been an avid birder for over 15 years. 

As a volunteer, Karen organized Portland’s 24-hour Homelessness Marathon for two years before going to work for the national Marathon for another three years.