Karina received her undergraduate degree from St. Catherine University and is finishing her Master of Public Health. Her research interests and studies focus on maternal and child health, reproductive health equity, and cancer epidemiology. She is working towards a Certified Lactation Counselor or CLC certification. Karina has worked in retail banking, sexual and reproductive health care advocacy, and community food access coordination before working in behavioral health in Intake Care Coordination and Quality Assurance.

Currently, Karina provides support with special projects in the compliance side of Behavioral Health. In collaboration with the Behavioral Health compliance and the leadership team, she ensures programs follow regulatory requirements around documentation and services, reports on data and satisfaction for specific grants, and credentialing. She firmly believes in improving and protecting the health of communities through awareness, education, and promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent disease and injury. The most fulfilling part of her job is connecting with clients and sharing a space to talk about the lasting impact culturally and linguistically specific services have in their lives.