Karen McKinnon joined the board of the Comox Valley Hospice Society in September 2019 and was elected to a second term in September 2022. Karen has been in the Comox Valley for 24 years and has a background in community engagement, small business and non-profit management and teaching and holds a Masters Degree in Communication. Karen learned about the important work CVHS does in the community when, 10 years ago, she lost a young friend to cancer and witnessed how CVHS eased the process for both the palliative individual and their family. This experience informed her area of focus when she completed her Masters Degree. Karen is the Managing Director of the Community Justice Centre and the owner of a local business. In addition to serving on the board of the CVHS, she is on the Coordinating Circle of the Comox Valley Community Health Network and is a volunteer with YANA (You Are Not Alone Comox Valley).