Thenisia is a born and raised Washingtonian, graduating from Mountlake Terrace Highschool in 2011. She’s spent the last 13 years working in the service industry managing restaurants, organizing in her community, and volunteering for several political campaigns.

During the COVID-19 pandemic she realized she wanted more for her life and to have a career she was passionate about and would afford her a more comfortable lifestyle. While researching into the construction trades, Thenisia came across ANEW and enrolled in the Trades Rotation Program, graduating in 2022. During her time in the program, they fell in love with the values of ANEW and knew they wanted to work somewhere that shared their passion for learning and community.

Karen comes to ANEW from Montana where she led programs and advocated for policies focused on building economic security for all. Karen is the original founder for the RISE Up program, so it’s a program she cares deeply for. She aims to be a dedicated servant leader and has a passion for social justice issues. Karen is committed to developing collaborative partnerships resulting in systemic change.

Throughout her career, she has utilized her entrepreneurial spirit and skills to create and implement new and innovative programs aimed at moving people toward family wage jobs. A dedicated servant leader with fifteen years of experience developing, funding, and implementing social service programs focused on building economic security for low- and moderate-income families. Karen develops collaborative efforts resulting in systemic change.