Karen is married to David Rivera. They have 2 sons and are expecting their first granddaughter. They have been entrepreneurs for the last 28 years, building two successful companies, one that was sold to Toshiba International. Karen is also a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice, Believe in Hope Counseling, in Allen.

Karen has spent the last 30 years giving back to the community through mentorship with youth in various organizations. It is though her service that she found Journey of Hope when she experienced the loss of her nephew and his mother, her sister-in-law. Journey’s mission really spoke to her heart because of the early losses she experienced in her life. She worked for Journey as a part of her counseling internship, both in the office and as facilitator, serving Journey’s families. She is in her 2nd term as a Board Member and currently serves on the Nominating Committee. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, taking in the sights and sounds of nature, decorating and reading.