Karen Conard

Karen Sawyer Conard is an experienced city manager currently serving the City of Portsmouth, NH, since January 2020. Previously, Karen held the position of Executive Director at the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission from January 2017 to January 2020. Other key roles include Director of Community Development and Planning for the City of Peabody from December 2009 to December 2016, and Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Methuen, MA, from January 2006 to December 2009. Karen's career also includes significant positions such as Chief Operating Officer at MassInnovation, LLC, and Chief of Staff at MassDevelopment. Additional experience includes leadership roles at the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Office of Governor William F. Weld. Karen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French from Duke University between 1986 and 1989.