Karen began her career with WCADA as a volunteer in 1995, after completing a BA (Honours) in Psychology at Swansea University and has more recently completed an ILM Level 5 Diploma and M.Sc. in Forensic Psychology.
She was a 12-Step Minnesota Model Abstinence Counsellor for seven years sharing her time between WCADA and the South Wales Probation Service where she was seconded as a DAROP (Drug and Alcohol Referral for Offenders Project) Worker.
In 2002 became the Manager of the WCADA Agency in Bridgend then returned to Head Office in Swansea in 2005 as Director of Criminal Justice Services, with responsibility for community and custodial contracts. In September, 2008 she was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Head of Operations and recently in August 2014 she was appointed as WCADA Chief Executive. She is passionate and dedicated to the field of substance misuse in Wales and to improving the lives of those affected by addiction and dependency.
