Karen Novak - Accountant
Starting as a bookkeeper at age 16, Karen pursued her accounting career after completing her degree at the University of Kentucky. Having passed the CPA exam on her first attempt, she started in public accounting with Coopers & Lybrand in Lexington, KY. Her practice at that time focused on audits with clients as large as the University of Kentucky and multiple large banks.
Karen has a wide variety of experience in her 30 year accounting career. She has worked for large corporations as well as smaller privately held companies. She has found her love, however, in working with non-profits managing their finances to move their mission forward.
She was an active Board member of the Stanley Park of Westfield, Inc, serving as Assistant Treasurer/Secretary for over 4 years. She spearheaded a project to convert the outdated playground to a state of art, fully handicapped accessible facility that is now enjoyed by children with various physical and emotional needs.
Having "grown up in a greenhouse" as her father was a PhD in Horticulture at the University of Kentucky, she continues to consider herself a farmer at heart. She has spent the last 4 years building her own farm and has raised broiler chickens, hogs, beef, and Boer goats for meat. It is her firm belief that we are stewards of the land and the animals that provide us food in return for our hard work and care.