Karen Sorensen

Karen Sorensen is a Canadian politician who has been a senator from the province of Alberta since July 2021. She previously served as the mayor of Banff, Alberta, for three terms, beginning in 2010.

Early life and career

Sorensen was born in Orangeville, Ontario.
Professionally, she was a hotelier for 17 years before founding Catalyst Enterprises Consulting in 2000, which provides training for the hospitality industry. She is a graduate of the University of Guelph, where she earned a bachelor's degree in geography. Prior to becoming mayor, Sorensen was a municipal councillor for six years, from 2004 to 2010, and she was a school trustee for four.

Senate

On July 29, 2021, she was summoned to the Senate of Canada by Governor General Mary Simon, on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. She had previously, in 2019, applied online to be a senator, which was sent to Huguette Labelle, who headed the advisory board regarding senate appointments. Upon her appointment in 2021, she joined the Independent Senators Group. She currently serves as co-chair of the Parliamentary Tourism Caucus and is also on the standing committees on Agriculture and Forestry and Indigenous Peoples.