Karen Handel brings over two decades of experience in private sector and in public service, including being elected to positions at county, state and federal levels.

Prior to launching her private consulting practice, Handel served in the 115th Congress.  She served on the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.  Handel was tapped by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Joint Economic Committee, one of just three standing bi-partisan joint committees.

Handel is the first woman to be elected Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.  In this role, Handel quickly distinguished herself as a problem-solver and smart negotiator, plugging a $100 million budget deficit (without tax increases), delivering the county’s first truly balanced budget, and achieving significant ethics reforms.  She also spearheaded the county’s negotiations for the formation of the City of Sandy Springs and the eventual municipalization of the county.

One of just six women ever to be elected to statewide office in Georgia, Handel served as the state’s 26th Secretary of State.  In this role, Handel successfully implemented various elections integrity reforms and executed an agency-wide modernization initiative that shaved nearly 20% of the agency’s costs while improving services.
Handel also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sonny Perdue and held a leadership role in the Bush-Quayle White House.

In the private sector, Handel held executive roles with the accounting / consulting firm KPMG and with the global eyecare unit of Novartis.  Handel also served as President & CEO of one of Georgia’s largest chambers of commerce, leading the organization out of near bankruptcy.

On any given Sunday afternoon, Karen can be found playing golf or watching NFL football.  Karen and her husband Steve live in Roswell with their seriously spoiled Cavalier Spaniels Abbie and Sadie.