As an immigrant herself, Karen's personal journey became the driving force behind her advocacy and interest in helping the immigrant community. She earned her Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law, where she was active in the asylum clinic while working in the legal finance sector.

Karen brings a strong background in both litigation and immigration advocacy. Prior to joining Zuma, she practiced at Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP, focusing on product and premises liability defense, while also providing pro bono legal services in immigration and guardianship through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS).

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology and Criminology, Law, and Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her legal studies also took her to Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, where she interned at Women's Link Worldwide on a case before the International Criminal Court. Karen has also interned at the National Immigrant Justice Center, assisting unaccompanied minors.

A passionate advocate for immigrant rights, Karen is a member of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI) and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). She is fluent in English and Spanish, and outside of work, enjoys travel, Chicago history, and performing with her Aztec dance group, Xochitl-Quetzal.