Karen Topakian, owner of Topakian Communications, is a writer, speaker, communications consultant and activist. Since 1978, she has worked for nonprofits including as the Agape Foundation’s executive director.

Karen co-chaired SF Fundraising Day, served on planning committees for other fundraising conferences and appeared on panels with social justice grantmakers, nonprofit executive directors and environmental leaders. She earned a BA in Sociology/Theater from Clark University and an MFA from the SF Art Institute. She serves as a film screener for the SF Green Film Festival and on the Greenpeace Fund board of directors.