Karen co-founded Pappas & Pappas and CareerMode, and is the driving force behind the success and extraordinary reputation of both firms. Prior to this, Karen was the Vice President of a well-regarded Massachusetts HR consulting and outplacement firm, and the founder and leader of an exclusive professional placement firm in Boston. Karen began her career with a global staffing firm, where she launched new U.S. locations and led turnaround operations for underperforming field offices.

Currently a member of the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA), The Boston Club, and the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), Karen is also a founding member of the Boston College Club. She is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and a former Board member of the Pan Mass Challenge (Jimmy Fund), The Wang Center for Performing Arts, and the Boston Human Resources Association (BHRA).

Karen co-established the Diversity Committee at BHRA and served as co-chair of the Membership Committee. She was also co-chair of the Holiday Card Program at Dana-Farber and a past rider and volunteer for the Pan Mass Challenge. Karen is a volunteer career strategist for the Eagle Exchange at Boston College, volunteer career coach at The Boston Club, group mentor in The Boston Club ‘45’ Mentoring Program, mentor at the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), group mentor at Women in the Enterprise of Science & Technology (WEST), volunteer career coach at One Family, Inc., fellow, Institute of Coaching, McLean Hospital, and member, Women’s Mental Health Leadership Council, McLean Hospital.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Boston College and numerous certificates from Harvard Medical School (Mind Body Medicine) and the University of Pennsylvania (Positive Psychology). Karen is an MBTI® Certified Practitioner and certified by the VIA Institute on Character to deliver its Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) program. She is also a Certified Designing Your Life (DYL) Coach.

LinkedIn