Karen Michalski-Karney has been Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center, Roanoke, Virginia since it started in 1989. She serves as vice-president of the Virginia Association of Centers for Independent Living, Treasurer of the Statewide Independent Living Council and Co-Chair of the Community Integrated Housing Advisory Commission. She also serves on NCIL’s Board of Directors as the Region 3 Representative and is Treasurer of the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL). Locally, she serves on the Western Virginia Workforce Development Board and Greater Roanoke Transit Company. She is also a peer reviewer for the Standards for Excellence Institute. Karen holds a Master’s in Public Administration from James Madison University. She lives in Glade Hill with her husband and numerous pets.
