karen has a steadfast and lifelong commitment to interrupt and dismantle gender-based violence and largely systemic barriers impacting marginalized communities – particularly refugee and immigrant women and children. Most recently, karen held leadership positions with the International Rescue Committee and WEAVE Inc. managing complex and collaborative projects to drive systems change in accessibility, economic justice, housing inequality, and racial justice. She now works at Rise Up, a global organization, advancing gender equity and justice in education, health, and economic opportunity. As a proud daughter of working class immigrants from Punjab, she always leads with her heart to address gender, racial, health, and educational equity.

A first-generation student, karen earned her Master’s degree with distinction in Human Trafficking, Migration, and Organised Crime with a focus on gender-based violence, a B.S. in Women’s Studies and a B.A. in Liberal Studies.