Mother. Businesswoman. Community Leader.

Karen Diebel, 42, currently serves the citizens of Winter Park, Florida as Vice Mayor and City Commissioner. Since taking office in March 2007, she’s fought hard to bring solutions-oriented government to the city in which she lives. Whether it’s expanding regional mobility, curtailing government waste, improving emergency response or preserving environmentally-sensitive wetlands, Karen has made a positive difference. As our Congresswoman, Karen will take that same common-sense approach to Washington.

Karen Diebel knows about what it takes to get our economy moving again. As an Executive Director at Verizon Business, Karen helps companies grow by finding solutions to complex technological challenges. Because of her work, she earned a spot on the Orlando Business Journal’s 2009 list of "Women Who Mean Business.” Karen knows first - hand that Florida’s 24th District has more technology jobs at stake than anywhere in the country. By leveraging her business experience in Congress, Karen will fight to restore our local economy and keep our Space Coast, biotech and research jobs where they belong - right here in Florida.

Her compassionate leadership continues to make Central Florida a better place. In memory of her late husband, Karen co-founded the N. Donald Diebel, Jr. M.D. Good Samaritan Fund in 2004. The Foundation provides medical care to uninsured women and children, serving nearly 1000 patients annually. For Karen, her service to others is rooted in her deeply-held faith. She is a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (B.B.A., Finance). Karen received her M.B.A. from the University of South Florida.

Karen Diebel’s dedication to public service is fueled by a strong passion to create a bright future for her three sons: Conor, age 13, Liam, age 11, and Nicholas, age 9.