Karen hails from Milwaukee Wisconsin. She comes from a background in acting and modeling and was an exclusive with Chicago's National Talent Network. She was an instructor and spokes model for The John Robert Powers Schools. While working in Chicago she attended The American Institute of Floral Art and trained with White House florist William Kistler. At the age of 19 she opened up her own flower shop. About that time she took up skiing…

On a ski vacation to Vail in 1979, her love of music drew her into the piano bar at The Lodge at Vail. There she met her future husband, Vail’s Piano Man, Micky Poage. After a long distance relationship, Karen finally moved to Vail in 1981. Karen & Micky were married 4 years later.

Karen started her Real Estate career in 1983 and has been active in transactions throughout all of Eagle County. She remembers first moving to the Valley when there was nothing in Beaver Creek! The highlight of her career has been the opportunity of being involved in the development, marketing and acting as Co- Lead Broker for some of Beaver Creek’s finest new developments: Upper Borders Lodge, Borders Townhomes, Oxford Court and Elkhorn Lodge.

Karen resides in Cordillera with her husband and young son Parker. Her favorite activities are spending time with her family, traveling with her husband on his concert tours and in general, all aspects of Mountain Living: wildflower gardening, hiking, skiing etc.!

"I feel blessed to live and raise my son in God’s Country! Along with the beauty, fresh air, and sporting pursuits mountain life provides, where else in the World can you find a community that offers all this PLUS such a fabulous cultural scene."