Karen is the Founder & CEO of ARKEN Strategies, a women/minority owned and operated firm specializing in systems change, coalition building, project management, and funding strategies.

As a first-generation daughter of Mexican immigrants, Karen’s passion for community building was instilled in her from a young age. Karen’s work extends beyond her roles in local government and regional partnerships. She led the development of the Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation project, securing $65.1 million.

Currently, as the CEO of ARKEN Strategies, she focuses on building coalitions, empowering smaller organizations, and connecting them with funding agencies. Karen’s commitment to serving under-resourced communities is evident in her work with the F3 AgTEC Initiative, Fresno County CERF Table, and the San Joaquin Valley Broadband Consortia.

In addition to her academic degrees, Karen holds certifications in Federal Grant Administration from Management Concepts. These certifications demonstrate her commitment to staying updated on the latest regulations and best practices in managing federal grants, ensuring compliance and maximizing the impact of funding. Karen’s also recognizes the value of lived experiences as a form of education, drawing from her upbringing in East Los Angeles and her work experience in her parents’ check cashing store. These experiences have shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by under-resourced communities and inform her approach to community building, advocacy, and empowering marginalized populations.

Sarah works with organizations to build effective coalitions, develop community strategies, and strengthen relationships with federal and state legislative leadership.

With decades of experience in public/private partnerships, Sarah enhances and elevates the work of organizations who want to create sustainable, inclusive growth and positive social impact throughout California communities.

Prior to ARKEN, Sarah served as the first Director of External Affairs at the Central Valley Community Foundation (CVCF), a charitable foundation serving the six counties of the Central San Joaquin Valley. Sarah’s focus area and portfolio included government and policy, economic and workforce development, housing, and corporate and community engagement. Under her leadership, CVCF created two signature programs; Central Valley Legislators Roundtable - a quarterly gathering of district staff from the Valley’s state and federal delegation; and Council of Business Sponsors - a cohort of corporate philanthropic and economic development partners tasked with providing insight, strategic connections, and innovative solutions to help advance work on systemic challenges impacting the region.

Prior to the Foundation, Sarah worked with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein for 15 years, representing a 16-county region. She was a key liaison with Central California’s leaders with a diverse portfolio of issues included Biomass, Education, Fire and Forestry, Economic & Workforce Development, Education, High Speed Rail, Homelessness, Housing, Human Trafficking, and Narcotics. Sarah was the Senator’s office CA lead on fire management and the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Controls.