EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Karen Gaal is a distinguished public safety leader and community advocate with over 30 years of dedicated service to Washington, DC residents. As the recently re-elected Chairwoman of the Third District Citizens Advisory Council (3D CAC), she leads one of DC’s most effective community-police partnerships while serving as a bridge between diverse neighborhoods and public safety agencies.

A lifelong Ward 1 resident and proven change agent, Karen combines deep community roots with professional expertise in emergency preparedness, public safety training, and interfaith coalition building. Her leadership philosophy centers on collaborative problem-solving, community empowerment, and the belief that “your personal safety IS public safety too.”

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Third District Citizens Advisory Council (3D CAC)

Chairwoman – Executive Director & Public Safety Director | 2015 – Present

• Lead DC’s premier community-police partnership serving multiple wards
• Direct comprehensive public safety education programs reaching 180,000+ residents annually
• Manage $850,000 annual budget with 100% grant compliance record
• Oversee 500+ volunteers and coordinate with MPD Third District Command

3D CAC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Ward 1 Team Leader & National CERT Trainer | FEMA Certified

• Lead emergency preparedness initiatives for Ward 1 residents
• Program Manager and Master Trainer
• Coordinate community response protocols for natural disasters and public health crises
• Train 300+ community members in FEMA-certified emergency response procedures

ANC 1B04 Civic Association

Chairwoman & Community Leader | 2020 – Present

• Elected representative advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Facilitate monthly community meetings with required registration system
• Lead neighborhood initiatives addressing transportation, education, housing, and public safety

FAITH-BASED LEADERSHIP

3D CAC Pastoral Clergy Coalition

Public Safety Minister | Interfaith Coordinator

Karen leads innovative interfaith approaches to community safety, uniting diverse religious traditions—Islamic, Catholic, Jewish, Indigenous, Evangelical, and Orthodox Christian communities—to address public safety concerns and promote social justice.

Key Initiatives:

• Community Safety Fairs and Prayer Vigils
• Faith Ministry Walks and Counseling Groups
• Interfaith Public Forums on Safety and Social Justice
• Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Programs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE

Public Safety Training & Education

• Program Development: Created comprehensive training curricula adopted community-wide
• Emergency Preparedness: FEMA-certified trainer with specialized focus on community resilience
• Crisis Management: Expert in disaster preparedness and emergency response coordination
• Community Policing: Proven liaison between law enforcement and diverse community populations

Grant Management & Administration

• $2.5M+ Secured: Successfully obtained and managed federal and local grants
• 100% Compliance Record: Zero audit findings across multiple concurrent awards
• Financial Oversight: Maintained exemplary stewardship with transparent reporting
• Performance Excellence: Achieved 95% program effectiveness ratings through data-driven evaluation

Community Engagement & Organizing

• Coalition Building: Established partnerships with 75+ community organizations
• Civic Education: Developed programming that increased voter registration by 40%
• Volunteer Management: Direct oversight of 500+ active community volunteers
• Event Coordination: Lead organizer for National Night Out and community safety fairs

COMMITTEE SERVICE & PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

ANC Commission Committees

• Economic Development, Zoning and Planning
• Public Safety & Engagement
• Transportation
• Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Regulations
• Community Engagement

Professional Memberships

• National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) – Executive Member
• National Community Emergency Response Team – FEMA Certified
• MPD Chief of Police Citizen’s Advisory Council – Chair, Active Member
• DC Federation of Democratic Women – Executive Board Member
• Girl Scouts of America – Lifetime Member, Gold Award Recipient

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

• Mayor’s Award for Community Excellence (2023)
• Outstanding Public Safety Volunteer Service Award (2022, 2021)
• Chief Of Police Advisory Council – MPD Chief of Police (2020)
• ANC 1B04 Outstanding Public Engagement Leader (2024)
• Multiple humanitarian awards from national and community organizations and public safety agencies

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Master of Public Policy and Administration | American University, Washington, DC
Master of Business Administration | American University, Washington, DC
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science | Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

Professional Certifications

• FEMA Emergency Management Certification – Community Resilience
• National CERT Association – Master Trainer & Program Manager
• Neighborhood Watch Program – Certified Commissioner
• Public Safety Strategic Planning (PSSP) – Program Developer and Facilitator
• Senior Professional in Human Resource Management – Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

Principal Owner | Asset Management, Urban Advisory and Development Administration Firm
30+ Years Program Director Experience

Karen applies her community development expertise through strategic business initiatives that strengthen neighborhoods while creating economic opportunities for DC residents.

COMMUNITY IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS

Measurable Outcomes

• 180,000+ residents served annually through comprehensive programming
• 300+ community members FEMA-certified in emergency preparedness
• 40% increase in voter registration through civic engagement initiatives
• 30% crime reduction in targeted neighborhood watch areas
• 25% reduction in emergency service calls through community mental health programming

Sustainable Programming

• 42-year organizational legacy of continuous community service
• 95% resident participation in quarterly community needs assessments
• 85% program benefit sustainability beyond grant periods
• 150+ mentoring relationships established for at-risk youth

PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY

“Effective public safety and emergency preparedness require a collaborative approach. When communities are informed, prepared, and engaged, they can overcome any challenge and thrive in the face of adversity.”

Karen’s work is driven by an unwavering belief in the power of community, the importance of civic engagement, and the principle that all voices must be heard and valued in creating safer, more resilient neighborhoods.

Core Values

• Inclusive Leadership: Ensuring all community voices are heard and respected
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Building bridges between diverse stakeholders
• Community Empowerment: Developing local capacity for sustainable change
• Faith-Centered Service: Integrating spiritual values with practical community action
• Transparency & Accountability: Maintaining the highest standards of public trust

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Karen continues to expand innovative programming that addresses evolving community needs while maintaining 3D CAC’s position as DC’s premier model for community-police partnerships. Her strategic focus includes:

• Expanding emergency preparedness training across all DC wards
• Strengthening interfaith coalitions for comprehensive community safety
• Developing youth leadership pipelines for next-generation civic engagement
• Creating sustainable funding models for long-term program continuation
• Building replicable programming for adoption by other DC communities

CONTACT INFORMATION

Professional: Chair@3DCAC.org | (202) 854-1620
Organization: www.3DCAC.org
Personal: www.KarenGaal.com

“Your personal safety IS public safety too – this is the goodness that’s needed for our community.”

Karen Gaal’s three decades of dedicated public service represent an investment in solving problems, expanding opportunities, strengthening communities, and connecting neighbors. Her leadership exemplifies the transformative power of civic engagement rooted in faith, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to making Washington, DC a safer, more vibrant place for all residents.