Karen Charest

Karen Charest, CGMP, serves as the Conference Coordinator and Editor at WestEd since July 2007 and is the Principal of Charest Communications, a position held since 1986. Karen's leadership in the Society of Government Meeting Professionals included roles as President for both the Southern California Chapter and the Golden State Chapter, serving from 2006 to 2021 and as Immediate Past President until the present. An Extended Learning Instructor for Event & Meeting Planning at California State University San Marcos from 2013 to 2020, Karen taught a logistics course as part of the certificate program. Prior experience includes conference coordination and editing at California State University, Sonoma, and consulting roles in various companies. Karen holds a BA in Journalism from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning from MiraCosta College.