Karen Kauffman is the Vice President of Human Resources for the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO). In this role, she has leadership responsibilities for the human resources function for approximately 3,700 non-union and union employees.
Karen has been a State Board member of the Texas Diversity Council since 2012 and is currently the Vice President of the Gulf Coast Chapter. She has been a member of the Gulf Coast Diversity Council Advisory Board since 2004 and was recognized by the Texas Diversity Council with the Diversity CHAMPION award.
Karen joined METRO in 2003 and has held various leadership positions in the Human Resources area. She leads the development and oversight of METRO’s EEO/Affirmative Action Program and actively supports METRO’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Her additional leadership responsibilities as Vice President of Human Resources include: Diversity; EEO; Staffing; Compensation; Benefits; Labor and Employee Relations; Organization Development; and HRIS. She also has responsibilities for regulatory requirements for METRO’s compliance programs.
Karen has been certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) since 2000.
She is actively involved in the community and is a member of several professional organizations, including SHRM; HR Houston; the Association for Talent Development; Junior Achievement and Dress for Success.
Prior to joining METRO, Karen had extensive human resources and business experience in leadership roles for a variety of industries. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education / English from the University of Houston and has also completed graduate level studies in Business and Accounting.
