Kelowna resident Karen Christiansen has been awarded with a fellowship by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia.
The fellowship (FCA) designation is awarded to chartered accountants for contributions to the community and service to the profession.
Christiansen is a partner with MNP LLP in Kelowna. She joined Snowsell Jennens & Carter (now MNP LLP) in 1993, and was invited to join the firm’s partnership three years later.
From 2004 to 2010, she served as the firm’s regional assurance partner, and continues to provide mentorship and leadership as a key member of the assurance team today.
Currently serving as 1st vice-president of the ICABC, she is also a member of the ICABC’s professional development review, professional conduct enquiry, regional check-up advisory, and executive committees.
Deeply involved in her community, Christiansen has provided leadership to organizations including the Central Okanagan Canadian Red Cross, the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education, the Rotary Ogopogo Club, and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
She was a director with the Central Okanagan United Way, and served as its campaign chair in 2001.
From 2002 to 2008, Christiansen was a member of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation’s board of directors and chair of its finance committee. In 2011 and 2012, she was a member of the KGH Foundation’s Campaign Cabinet “Take Care Take Part” Campaign, a fundraising initiative that exceeded the hospital’s fundraising goal of $6 million.
Christiansen was a finalist for a Women of Distinction Career Leadership Award in 2002, and received the ICABC’s Early Achievement Award that same year.
