Ms. Karen Neal, this year’s NSB 2022 volunteer witness, served for 34 years as an educator in southern Maryland, wearing many different hats. Now retired, Karen enjoys exploring other professions, including writing, and producing online courses and training programs, and property management. Karen’s greatest joy has always been working directly with people, so she used some of her free time since retirement to volunteer with Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington. Karen began as an Associate Caseworker, but wore whichever hat was needed including assisting as a Front Office Coordinator, serving as a computer mentor and a resume-writer. While in the Washington area, she served as a Partner Rep for her church, the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in DC’s Ward 7. She also served on the SMGW Program Committee and the Racial Justice & Equity Roundtable. Karen has been married to Bill Neal for 43 years. They moved to Houston, Texas, in late 2021, to be near their daughter Stephanie, who is an occupational therapist. Their son Will, an electrical engineer like his Dad, and his wife Amber live in NC, with what Karen describes as “two amazing grandchildren” namely Nathan (10) and Jazmine (7).
