Healthcare Speakers

Karen has often been compared to Ellen Degeneres and Jerry Seinfeld because she finds the funny in everyday life. That didn’t change when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. “When the surgeons cut me open, my right ovary popped out the size of a cantaloupe, my left ovary the size of a grapefruit. I was a walking produce stand. Turns out, my muffin top was a fruit salad!”

Karen was determined to take on the disease with hope and humor. Her mission is to inspire people to love, laugh and approach everything life hands you with a positive attitude.

Karen has faced every challenge with determination. She stands at 5’2″ and was told more than once that she was too short to play basketball. Not only did she play, in 1981 she led the nation in assists and became the first Division 1 first team All-American in UT-Chattanooga’s history. Karen was the first UTC athlete to earn that distinction in any sport, male or female. Her #12 uniform was retired, and she became the first female inducted into UTC’s basketball hall of fame.

Karen brings that same dynamic energy to her comedy. She has been a nationally touring comedian for more than 20 years and can be heard regularly on Sirius / XM Laugh, Blue Collar and iHeart Radio. Karen is also a favorite in the corporate world. Her client list includes American Express, Marriott, AT&T, AFLAC, Toyota and many more. She recently gave the commencement address at Grand Canyon University and performs regularly at women’s health expos and cancer survivor events.

Karen can inspire, energize and bring any crowd together through the joy of laughter.