Karen Connors

Karen G. Connors joined the Gary Sinise Foundation in January 2020 to lead outreach efforts to military and veteran communities, law enforcement, and the local Orlando business community. She has worked primarily in the defense industry since graduating from Virginia Tech (B.S. Industrial Engineering) in 1986. She attained a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida in 1999 and her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2004.

In 2011, she started her own consulting business, Quality Project Control, which provides services in business development, project/program management, and military simulation and training​. As a volunteer and passionate advocate for military veterans in the community, Karen currently serves on the Orlando and Orange County Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Councils,  is on the Board of Directors for Florida Citrus Sports, and was honored as the 2011-2012 Chairman of the Year in for her work on the Military Affairs Committee.

Her experience with other non-profit organizations such as Heroes’ Commons (6 mortgage-free homes for veterans), Mission United (a veteran-specific arm of Florida United Way), Camaraderie Foundation (non-profit to heal the “invisible wounds of war”), and the Association of the U​.​S​.​ Army (receiving the Third Region Merit Award in 2010) has further extended her ability to give back to the veteran community.  She is a member of the National Defense Industrial Association and Women in Defense. She is also on the Board of Directors at the University Club of Orlando and serves as the President of their Foundation.

“Gary Sinise is a humble, kind and truly genuine person. His dedication is unwavering and his passion knows no bounds. I am truly honored to stand up the very first chapter of the Gary Sinise Foundation to expand his generosity to more deserving veterans, first responders and their families.”