From the time she was eight, Kari knew she was meant to work with children. She had an instinct for their world—an easy way of stepping into it, of guiding and protecting, of simply wanting to be there. What started as “playing mother” when she was young never faded; it only grew into a deep respect for childhood and the responsibility that comes with shaping it.

Kari grew up in Sacramento as the youngest of three. Her parents worked opposite shifts, juggling life so that someone was always there, and she credits them with making sure she and her siblings never felt the weight of what little they had in their younger years. Money was sometimes tight, but her childhood was filled with stability, encouragement, and the sense that hard work mattered. Determined to carve her own path, Kari became the first in her family to go to college—something she earned through persistence, scholarships, and sheer effort.

Her eleven years in the classroom taught her more than any degree could. With a Master’s in Education and a deep passion for teaching, she entered the profession with hope. But over time, she saw how the system itself was stretched too thin—too few resources, too many demands, and too much focus on testing instead of real growth. In a structure that prioritized numbers over people, teachers were often expected to focus on the kids in the middle—the ones who could be moved up a notch—while those who excelled or struggled most were left without the support they needed. Technology became a crutch, and connection between teacher and child started to fade. Kari remains deeply respectful of teachers who give their all in such an environment, but she knew she needed a different path.

That mix of determination and practicality has stuck with her. Kari is naturally curious—always interested in how people live, the choices they make, and what drives them. She believes in asking better questions and staying open to learning, even when that curiosity isn’t always returned. Parenting, for her, is rooted in duty and love: “if you’re going to bring a child into the world, you should take the responsibility seriously.” At the same time, she knows how to laugh at herself and not let the weight of perfectionism steal the joy out of the moment.

Growth has always been Kari’s rhythm. When she’s not focused on her family, she’s diving into something new—reading about business, wellness, or ways to make life work smarter, not harder. She loves learning for the sake of learning and finds energy in discovering ideas that make her family’s world a little better. You’ll often find her at the soccer fields or gymnastics, cheering Presley on or getting out of the house for a run, a park day, or a round of pickleball with her husband.

These days, her focus is on building a life that feels balanced, intentional, and present. She’s worked hard to shed some of her old type-A tendencies, realizing that working harder isn’t the same as moving forward. For Kari, success is measured not by dollars, titles, or appearances, but by fulfillment—the ability to feel grounded in her choices, to make memories that matter, and to be fully present for the people she loves. 

Kari’s story is one of grit balanced by perspective, of ambition tempered with presence. She’s rational, loyal, and practical, yet not afraid to admit she’s still learning how to let go and live fully. What grounds her most is knowing that life isn’t about appearances—it’s about showing up, building the right kind of family, and creating a life that’s actually worth living.