Karen M. Czarnecki is the Vice President for Outreach for the Mercatus Center and an adjunct professor at George Mason University.

She was formerly chief of staff to Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA) and held various appointed executive positions at the Department of Labor in the administration of President George W. Bush.

Following a White House internship in the administration of Ronald Reagan, Karen Czarnecki served as a Special Assistant for Domestic Policy and Public Liaison to Vice President Dan Quayle.

[1] During the administration of President George W. Bush, Czarencki held a number of appointed leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Beginning in June 2001, she served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, responsible for outreach to state and local officials.