As one of three former Committee Management Officers for the U.S. Department of Education, Karen Akins served in one of the agency’s most influential administrative and compliance leadership roles, overseeing the Federal Advisory Committee Program with a budget exceeding $500,000. In this capacity, she was responsible for ensuring certain Department advisory committees operated in full compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), a law designed to guarantee transparency, accountability, and public trust in the establishment, management, and termination of federal advisory committees.
Beyond her federal leadership, Karen has made a lasting impact on accessibility and workplace inclusion. As a disability etiquette trainer for the Fulton County, Georgia Human Resources Office, she equipped leaders and staff with practical tools to create truly inclusive work environments. Her training programs went beyond compliance, fostering a cultural shift toward respect, understanding, and equity.
Karen’s academic and personal milestones are equally groundbreaking. She became the first blind/low-vision graduate student to earn a Master of Public Administration from Georgia State University, setting a precedent for greater representation of individuals with disabilities in advanced degree programs. Her achievements earned her the prestigious Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Torch of Peace Award from Georgia State University, recognizing her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to social justice.
Her dedication to public service continues today at the local level, where she was appointed in June 2025 to serve as a commissioner on the Anne Arundel County Commission for Women. In this role, she looks forward to advocating for policies and initiatives that expand opportunity and improve the lives of women and families in her community.
Outside of her volunteer and advocacy activities, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband playing trivia games, dancing, cooking, the arts, and discovering vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the DMV area.