Karen Drake works for the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia, which is home to the Virginia Tech Hokies. Certified through the American Institute of Planners, she is currently the Comprehensive Planner for the Town, emphasizing sustainable land use and development.
Originally from Georgia, Karen has lived though out the southern United States, but calls North Carolina home where her family resides. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Master’s degree in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Karen decided to focus her studies and career on geography, ecotourism and sustainability after working aboard an expedition cruise ship. With her visit to Tasmania, she will have visited 6 of the 7 continents. (Africa is still on the list.)When at home with her cat, Callie, Karen takes advantage of the academic and sporting events at Virginia Tech. Karen serves as a Board of Trustee for the Montgomery –Floyd County Regional Library system as well as the Christiansburg Aquatics Center. This allows her to support and promote two of her favorite hobbies, reading and swimming. In her free time, Karen enjoys yoga and spending time outdoors; hiking, camping and nature photography.
