Karen began her career as a High school teacher of history and social studies in Tonga and Australia. Now she is the Director of the Land Resources Division(LRD) of the Pacific Community, based in Suva. The Land Resources Division provides technical and scientific support to 22 Pacific countries and territories on all aspects of agriculture and forestry from genetic resources to markets. Prior to this role she was Operations Manager for the Division.
She is passionate about organic farming and food and co-founded the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom), serving as coordinator for 5 years and was extensively involved in developing the Pacific Organic Standard and Guarantee Scheme and developing alternative forms of certification that empower farmers.
She has experience in NGO capacity building and management, has worked in rural development in the Pacific Region for close to 20 years with a focus on organic agriculture as a path to social and economic development.
Currently she is President of the IFOAM Organics International World Board and has previously served on the Board of Directors of Fairtrade Australia New Zealand, she is a national of Samoa and Australia.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (History/Politics & Education), Diploma of Education (Librarianship & History) , Macquarie University. Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Graduate Diploma in Not for Profit Management, UNITEC. Auckland, NEW ZEALAND