Karen Windon joined The Patterson Foundation in June 2020 to support the work of the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. Passionate about the criticality of reading and literacy, she uses her talents to help design and manage the Campaign's projects.

Karen also serves as the Initiative Lead for the Community Preparedness, Recovery, and Resiliency (CPR-R) initiative, focused on opportunities to optimize efforts in preparedness, recovery, and resilience toward long-term impact. Her experience as the Manatee County Emergency Management Director, Public Safety Director, Florida Emergency Preparedness Association President and Commission Chair of the International Emergency Management Accreditation Program help to inform this initiative.

After retiring from a 35-year career with Manatee County Government, culminating in eleven years as Deputy County Administrator, Windon taught in a local elementary school, fulfilling a long-held passion.

She holds a degree in Business Administration from Eckerd College and continues to be a lifelong learner. Karen has two adult daughters and a grandson (who owns her heart and keeps her focused on the future). In her downtime, Windon enjoys exploring the great outdoors, traveling, kayaking, pickleball, reading, and spending time with family.

To contact Karen Windon: KWindonTPF@gmail.com