Kari received a bachelor's degree from Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Western Ontario in London.

Kari is an expert in government, media and stakeholder relations – with experience in counseling corporate and professional associations and their senior officers on the full gamut of strategic and tactical elements related to these topics.

Her specific areas of expertise include:

• Crisis communications
• Spokesperson/media relations training

• Campaign building and planning

• Strategic planning and implementation
• Event management

Most recently, Kari has launched her own company, Lifeboat Communications, with a client roster that includes both the public and the private sector.  Kari's experience also consists of a myriad of senior and leadership positions such as Manager of External Relations for GlaxoSmithKline Inc., Senior Communications Advisor to both the Minister of Economic Development and Trade and later to the Premier of Ontario's, Health Results Team.   She has worked as Manager of Media Relations for the Ontario Medical Association and on the Public Affairs Team at the world-renown University Health Network.