Karen A. Smith

Karen Smith’s strategic focus, vision, and mature judgment gained from a successful military career are an integral part of what makes her a highly regarded technology manager and professional. A native of Macon, Georgia, and a retired United States Air Force veteran, Karen has over 25 years of experience in business and professional development.  Karen has held positions in public education as a second grade and high school technology teacher and in higher education as an adjunct professor teaching various technology certification, English, and professional development courses online and traditional. Karen holds an Associate of Science in Air and Space Operations, a Bachelor of Science in English, and a Master of Education specializing in Adult Education and Training. Karen is completing a Doctor of Management specializing in Leadership for Higher Education. Karen is a certified Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer and a Microsoft Certified Applications Specialist.

Karen’s resume includes service with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fishery Service, Florida Department of Transportation, and Southern Technical College. In 2012, Karen founded Global Solutions Enterprise, and in 2018 co–founded Visions of Destiny (501(c)3, where she serves as the Chief Operating Officer. At the helm of both organizations, Karen has developed successful teams focused on inclusion, diversity, and accessibility leading the way in creating a 21–century workforce. Taking a holistic approach to business development and technology deployment, Karen has
exceptional abilities, which she attributes to her absolute orientation towards understanding individual client needs and a great affection for the task at hand.

Karen specializes in assistive and adaptive technology, teaching companies to hire and retain persons with disabilities by utilizing technology to empower everyone to realize their full potential. With formal English Education and Information Technology Management, Karen is adept at assessing and developing solutions tailored to client needs. Other specialty training areas include entrepreneurship, small business development, organization, and personal/professional development. An entrepreneur, wife, mother, grandmother, and caregiver, Karen still finds time to give back to the community. As a member and current president of the Bay Area Brotherhood, Karen spends countless hours in the Tampa Bay Community working to ensure the organization’s mission of helping disadvantaged kids is fulfilled. Karen also volunteers countless hours to Women’s Centered 4 Success, a nonprofit which helps women, and the Peter J. Mulry Foundation, which provides life skills through sports to Bay area youth.