Karen McElhaney is the Executive Director for the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Inc. (C.A.R.E.) and has been the Executive Director since 2016. Karen and C.A.R.E. are looking forward to opening their new childcare center early 2025. Karen is a graduate of Leadership Charlotte Class of 2018 and Englewood Leadership Class of 2024. Although Karen had been a long-time visitor to Florida, she became a resident of Port Charlotte, with her husband, in 2012.

She is a member of the GFWC Florida, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte Woman’s Club, Punta Gorda/ Port Charlotte Zonta International, an international service organization dedicated to building a better world for women and girls, a world where women's rights are recognized as human rights, a world where every woman is able to achieve their full potential, and a world where no woman lives in fear of violence. In March 2024, Zonta International honored Karen with the 2024 Yellow Rose Award, an annual event that recognizes women in our community who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through their employment, volunteer activities or associations. Karen is also a member of the League of Women Voters Charlotte County. and AAUW PG/PC.