Karen Darkes joined Emerge in July of 2022 as the Deputy Major Gifts Director prior to being promoted to Major Gifts Director in March of 2023. Karen is an Atlantic City, NJ native and 2013 graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland where she ...
Read moreKaren Darkes joined Emerge in July of 2022 as the Deputy Major Gifts Director prior to being promoted to Major Gifts Director in March of 2023. Karen is an Atlantic City, NJ native and 2013 graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Karen started her career in political fundraising on the Brown-Ulman 2014 Maryland gubernatorial campaign. After that race, Karen worked as a national political fundraiser at a well-respected Democratic consulting firm in Washington, DC. During her time there, Karen raised over 40 million dollars for her clients that included Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Lucy McBath, from donors across over 20 states. Karen has also raised over 1 million dollars as a non-profit fundraising consultant.
Outside of the office, Karen is the co-founder of Political Brew which is a platform that engages young people and people of color in politics through panel discussions and events. She is a board member for Emerge Maryland. Karen is also a member of the Metropolitan Washington, DC chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Incorporated where she served as both the Chairwoman of the Bylaws Committee and the Parliamentarian. She is a proud legacy member of Jack & Jill of America Inc. where she serves as the Legislative Chair for the Greater Suburban Maryland Chapter. Finally, and most importantly, Karen is the proud mother of her young daughter, Destiny.
Read Less