Throughout her career, Karelia Harding has ignited her passion by serving marginalized children and families. Karelia’s service career began as a teacher in the public schools; she then spent seven years as a Program Director for the Camp Fire Boys and Girls in the Portland Metro area. Since 2002 Karelia has been working to empower farmworker families at OCDC, where she currently serves as the Policy Council Coordinator. Her role includes overseeing the local and statewide Policy Councils’ development and governance activities as well as parent training and engagement programs throughout the state of Oregon. Karelia is a certified Master Trainer from the Oregon Registry Trainer Program from PSU and a Cultural Detective Facilitator. She has provided extensive trainings around Program Governance, Policy Council, Leadership, Communication, Parent Participation/ Engagement, Head Start programs, Advocacy, and Cultural Competency at local, state and national conferences. She is a member of the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA) Staff Affiliate and the Board. Also a member of the Oregon State Title I Board (Migrant Ed), Karelia regularly volunteers for local, state and national boards that provide support to children, families and the educational community. Regularly recognized for her volunteerism at the community, state and national level, Karelia holds a Master’s Degree in Special Education.