S1/E23: 2021 Unsung Heroes of Federal Service, Partner Hero - Karen Rainey

Karen M. Rainey is a masterful technician, leader, coach and speaker, whose passion is advocating for the equity, diversity and inclusion of women in the federal service. Ms. Rainey has made and indelible mark for the advancement and elevation of women in leadership and created greater opportunities for the professional growth and career advancement within our local, state and federal communities. Karen serving in her second term as the 24th National President of Federally Employed Women (FEW) in Philadelphia in 2018. She has 15 years of federal service experience at the Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) within the Modernized, Information Technology and Service division. As a federal employee she is responsible for managing teams that provide a secure and sustainable environment for various tax systems and financial applications on a variety of information technology platforms.

Academically, Karen has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Computer and Information Systems from the University of Detroit Mercy specializing in computer and information systems and process improvements.

Ms. Rainey believe strongly in the vision of “Soaring to New Heights” to propel the organization forward by being the organization of choice in leadership, diversity and inclusion. Karen promotes through her advocacy, the organization mission to end sex and gender discrimination and to encourage the talents of women to create a more united and diverse pool of intellectual leaders inclusive of women leaders in the federal sector.

She is the recipient of FEW’s most prestigious awards, the 2012 Presidential Award and the Barbara Boardman Tennant Award in 2018. In addition, she is currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), devoted solely to provide emergency financial assistance and scholarships to civilian and postal public servants and their families; and the National Coalition for Equity and Public Service (NCEPS), a coalition of organization that work to promote diversity and inclusion of minority employees career advancement. Originally from Union, SC, she lives with her family in Farmington Hills, MI.