Biography
Karen was promoted to Business Leader—Audit Practice in 2015, about a year after joining the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) as an audit engagement leader.
In her current role, Karen is responsible for helping to improve processes to deliver the work of the OAG in the most efficient, effective way. She oversees the areas of professional practice, the information systems auditor group, research, and data analytics. Karen also chairs the business planning working group which is responsible for the Office’s strategic and business planning and results reporting. Karen actively participates in the broader legislative audit community through her participation in various working groups of the Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors (CCOLA). Karen currently sits on the Practice Review Committee for CCOLA.
Born in Calgary and raised in St. Albert, Alberta, Karen discovered her passion for auditing while studying at the University of Alberta. She received her Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1998 and her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in 2003.
Karen has extensive experience in auditing having spent 17 years working in two large international accounting firms prior to joining the OAG. She was drawn to public service by the opportunity to apply her skillset and professional experience in areas affecting the quality of life for Alberta families and communities, including her own.
Collaboration is a core value for Karen and leading teams and engaging with stakeholders is what most inspires her about her work. Recent accomplishments of Karen and her team include assisting the OAG to establish an organizational structure to align with new ministry priorities, enhance processes to assess implementation by government of OAG recommendations, and improve how the OAG publicly reports its work.
In the community, Karen fundraises for the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation. She has also been involved in serving the accounting profession as committee member and a past chair of CPA Alberta’s Practice Review Committee.
When not at work, Karen enjoys running, going for walks, and spending time camping with her family.