Karen Philip has worked long and diligently on behalf of children and underrepresented women, both as a professional educator and as an outstanding volunteer leader. Her appointment to Superintendent of the Millbrae School District in 1993 gave Karen the distinction not only of joining a select group — only 5 percent of superintendents in the state were women, but also the added distinction of being the youngest woman ever appointed. She has remained at the forefront of her field, building a cohesive management team and actively modeling her high standards of performance. Karen has persevered in her efforts on behalf of children, working with others to establish a Learning Center Model for Children with Disabilities and a gifted students program. She has also used her talent for collaboration to establish a zero tolerance for violence and substance abuse and to maintain high student achievement standards.
Karen is also an active volunteer, lending her support to numerous causes benefiting children and women such as Tracy’s Place of Hope and Safe Harbor Shelter, Catholic Worker Hospitality House, the Lions Club and Rotary Club. Today she is extending her energies to include seniors in her ongoing effort to build partnerships between the community and schools. Her dedication and talent for bringing people together is a model for how to build a better community.
