Karen B. O’Connell is the Executive Director of Hyde Park Main Streets. Ms. O’Connell first became involved with the Main Street Program as a volunteer/resident at the committee level and later as a Board member. She earned her B.A. degree at Ohio Wesleyan University and her J.D. at the Boston University School of Law. As an attorney she sees the skills of advocacy and negotiation as vital to the success of non-profit community programs. Other affiliations include; Voting member of the Boston Athletic Assoc., (governing entity for the Boston Marathon), Trustee of the Hyde Park Savings Bank, and Board Member and past President of the Friends of the Hyde Park Library. Based on her experience and reputation as a Main Street Director, Ms. O'Connell has been a featured speaker at the International Downtown Association Conference, the Boston Society of Architects Annual Build Boston Conference, and the Urban Main Streets Forum. She recently also received her certificate in community preservation from the Donahue Institute and served on the Selection Committee for Washington, DC Main Streets