CharterSource Webinar Training Series

Kelly is a founder of St. Croix Prep (Stillwater MN) and has been engaged in charter school finance and operations in Minnesota for 20 years. Prior to St. Croix Prep, Kelly worked as a CPA with Coopers & Lybrand in Minneapolis and as an assistant controller with Bank One in Chicago. Kelly holds a BBA degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kelly’s greatest professional contribution has been assisting in the establishment of St. Croix Prep. During Kelly’s tenure, St. Croix Prep has grown from a school of 200 students and 10 staff in a 10,000 sq. ft. leased store-front to a learning community of over 1,200 students and 150 staff in a 125,000 sq. ft. building located on a 58 acre campus. Kelly’s focus has been on budget creation and management, facility buildout and management, bond issuances and oversight, and the operational development of Human Resources, Food Service, Development, Health Services and Facility Departments. Under Kelly’s founding vision and leadership, St. Croix Prep has developed into a nationally recognized K-12 charter school.

Karen has been engaged in Minnesota charter schools from various perspectives over the last 20 years. Karen provides a school leader and organizational perspective as well as her policy and advocacy experience as a state legislator. She also served as the Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.