As Office Coordinator, Karen Valdez develops and oversees workflow systems for the Operations Team, ensuring that projects are completed in an organized, timely fashion. She brings strong analytical and administrative skills accompanied by a research-based background. Her eye for detail keeps the A/P and A/R flowing, and her attention to grammar and editing ensures that all reports and presentations are correct, concise, and adhere to established templates and standards.
Karen’s passion is rooted in experiencing diverse backgrounds, social justice, and community involvement which have shaped her career goals. While at Portland Public Schools, she used her skills and passions to ensure that quality education was attainable and that every student succeeded academically regardless of race, income, or socio-economic background. Karen believes that research is integral to bringing awareness about issues that are at the forefront of public opinion and how they affect various groups.
Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Spanish from George Fox University. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Karen studied research methods, cross-cultural communications, and conducted in-depth analysis of historical trends and changes.
Born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles, California, Karen grew up exploring and embracing two different cultures and proudly claims her Latinx heritage. It’s important for Karen to share with others her identity and stay connected with the community. In her leisure, she enjoys reading a variety of genres and researching about the Great Depression Era under the Franklin Roosevelt Administration as her senior thesis was centered on this topic. When she’s not working, Karen can be found volunteering for Multnomah County Library and assisting their community development efforts which includes community outreach and assisting with events.