As chief operating officer of DFA’s Northeast Area, Karen oversees operations and milk marketing supporting DFA’s farmer-owners, managing membership services, financial strategies, crisis response and communications in the Area.

She previously served as vice president of operations and senior director of membership, providing leadership in communications, legislative affairs and membership initiatives, and has spent more than 28 years in the agriculture industry. Throughout her tenure at DFA, Karen has successfully led strategic projects, including helping to facilitate a major cooperative merger, enhancing membership programs and driving operational efficiencies across departments including sales, marketing and finance. 

A graduate of Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Karen is an alumnus of Cornell’s LeadNY leadership program. She has served on multiple boards and committees within the industry, including the New York State Agricultural Society Foundation and LeadNY.