Karen retired in 2015 from a career in higher education at the University of Virginia and William and Mary. She served as associate dean of admission at UVA, associate provost for enrollment at William and Mary, and as executive vice president of the William and Mary alumni Association. Karen has continued support of the ALS Association after her beloved husband Matt Clayton died of the disease in May 2020. During his struggle with ALS, Matt never wavered in his commitment to supporting research, believing until the end that research will one day discover ways to eliminate this devastating disease. Karen hopes her experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and event planning will allow her to be of service to the association, the Board of Directors, and especially the ALS families facing challenges every day.