Principal
Karen Bauer Fabean teamed with Michael Dunn in 1981 because “we shared a similar vision” for engaging the business and professional community in politics. “Since then,” she says, “changes in the ways corporations and associations engage in public and government affairs have been phenomenal. What hasn’t changed is the need to educate and engage more of their constituents in the process.”
Finding and implementing effective solutions to problems and challenges is one of Karen’s greatest talents. She helps clients identify their PAC and grassroots goals, determine their strategies and execute their programs.
As Karen puts it, “we believe that understanding our client’s world is key to how we apply our specialized expertise.” In addition, Karen is an accomplished speaker and facilitator, frequently speaking before business and professional audiences about politics and government or leading strategic planning sessions and focus groups.
Karen began her public affairs career in the public affairs department of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. While at the Chamber, she held successive positions to encourage the business community to establish PACs/grassroots programs and to lobby election law reform issues.
As director of legislative and political affairs for the former American Paper Institute, Karen worked directly with paper and forest products companies in the implementation of public affairs and lobbying strategies. Karen earned her Master’s degree in Business Administration from George Mason University in Virginia; she also holds an undergraduate degree from Emporia State University in Kansas and is a former educator.
Karen is a past member of the Government Relations Section Council of the American Society of Association Executives and the Board of Directors of the National Association of Business Political Action Committees (NABPAC) in Washington, D.C. NABPAC now retains Dunn Associates to provide PAC management and consulting services to its members through its PACHelp Hotline program and Karen is the primary contact within the firm.