Originally from Edmonton, Karen received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Art & Design (with a minor in classical history) from the University of Alberta in 2004. She moved to Winnipeg in August of 2004 to attend the pre- Masters program in Architecture at the University of Manitoba after spending part of the previous summer in Rome studying Roman Architecture and Archaeology. After growing fond of this “one great city”, Karen decided to remain in Winnipeg after receiving her Masters degree in Architecture in 2008; she joined the Synyshyn team in October of that year.

Throughout her educational and professional experience, Karen has been inspired by a sentiment made by Antoine de Saint-Exupery which suggests that “[i]f you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea” and she tries to incorporate this sense of passion and drive into both her professional experiences and personal life. When not at the office, she can be found exploring new facets of Winnipeg or wandering through the Winnipeg underground (which she just recently discovered).