Her Story
About Karen
Karen Brothers, Founder of Peer Buddy Ohio/Peer Collaboration, is a retired educator and school counselor with 37 years of dedicated service in Dublin City Schools in Dublin, Ohio. Throughout her career, she served as both a teacher and school counselor, consistently driven by a commitment to ensuring every student feels included, supported, and valued. Her work in student services focused on academic guidance, social-emotional development, and fostering a school culture rooted in respect, belonging, and equity. During her tenure, Karen developed and implemented a peer support program designed to connect students through meaningful relationships and mutual support. The program intentionally pairs students to help one another, including those who are new to the community, have developmental or physical disabilities, are non-English speaking, or experience marginalization in any form. Introduced at an early age, the initiative helps children grow up viewing differences as strengths rather than barriers. The program has since become a model of inclusive practice, and Karen continues to consult on its implementation as a copyrighted framework used by schools and organizations. In retirement, Karen remains deeply engaged in advancing inclusive communities through her work with All Inclusive Living (allinclusiveliving.org), where she contributes to the development of a groundbreaking multigenerational inclusive living community in Dublin, Ohio, scheduled to begin construction in September 2026. The community is designed to reduce isolation and bring together individuals of all ages and abilities to live, learn, and share their talents. She also serves on the board of We Are One Community (weronecommunity.com), where she helps train churches, businesses, camps, and organizations to better serve individuals with autism, developmental delays, and other disabilities, while also supporting programs that promote peer connection and community participation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and relentless consistency. Even in a world filled with digital distractions, I intentionally stay present and purposeful in every interaction and project I undertake.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Looking back, I didn't always have the career mentorship I wished for. That gap drove my belief that we must create our own paths and figure out how to turn what we love into meaningful work. I genuinely loved my job and wasn't looking to retire, but I made the conscious choice to step down because my family needed me.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
A mindful approach to life requires us to remain present, purposeful, and resilient. In our interactions, we must strive to analyze situations objectively and view challenges from every angle. Empathy means understanding that a minor issue to one person might be a monumental challenge to another based on their unique circumstances. True communication and kindness begin when we meet people where they are and treat their concerns with genuine respect.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The external influences on students have shifted dramatically since I began my career in education. Today, instant gratification has created a significant crisis in student resilience. When everything appears within seconds—whether it’s a search result or an Amazon delivery—young people lose the opportunity to practice waiting. A decade ago, before one-to-one school devices and ubiquitous smartphones, students had to plan, think critically, and problem-solve when things didn't go their way. Today, a dropped internet connection or a dead phone battery can cause total frustration. Without the practice of navigating delays, developing resilience becomes incredibly difficult—a challenge that will undoubtedly impact them as they enter the workforce.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Sincerity, compassion, empathy, a sense of humor, and integrity are the values most important to me in both my professional and personal life, guiding how I engage with others and approach every interaction with authenticity and respect.
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