DeSanto for 40th Assembly

Karen is currently serving as the State Representative for Wisconsin’s 40th District, where she brings a strong voice to issues of mental health, rural development, and bipartisan problem-solving in our state legislature.

She is also a nationally recognized nonprofit executive who grew a regional organization from a small $600,000 operation into a multi-site, multi-million-dollar system serving communities across Wisconsin.

But her story doesn’t stop there.

She is a Motivational Speaker, an author, and a leadership consultant who helps organizations and individuals unlock their full potential through storytelling, strategy, and connection.

And for more than 30 years, she has been a world-touring circus performer and educator—using the art of performance to teach communication, resilience, and human connection across cultures around the globe.

She has served as Director of Clowning for Feld Entertainment and Director of Education Outreach at Circus World Museum, blending creativity and leadership in ways few ever have.

Her work as the CEO for Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Wisconsin has been recognized nationally, including being named National Chief Executive Officer of the Year by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

What makes her truly unique is this: she brings together the discipline of public service, the strategy of executive leadership, and the creativity of the performing arts to show us how leadership is not just something we manage—but something we embody.