Karen Michelle Montes Berríos
About Karen Michelle Montes Berríos
Karen Michelle Montes Berríos is a Recovery Associate at Hagerty Consulting, where she has worked since 2022. She has a background in emergency management, with previous roles at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and a strong educational foundation in Disaster Science and Communications.
Work at Hagerty
Karen Michelle Montes Berríos has been employed at Hagerty Consulting as a Recovery Associate since 2022. In this role, she focuses on recovery processes within emergency management. Her work involves applying her knowledge and skills to support clients in developing effective recovery strategies and enhancing resilience in the face of natural hazards.
Previous Experience in Emergency Management
Before joining Hagerty Consulting, Karen worked at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. She served as a Natural Hazards Planner and State Hazard Mitigation Officer from 2019 to 2022. In this capacity, she was responsible for planning and implementing strategies to mitigate the impact of natural hazards. Additionally, she held the position of Management Analyst I for four months in 2019, where she contributed to various emergency management initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Karen holds a Master of Science in Disaster Science and Management from the University of Delaware, which she completed from 2017 to 2019. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis on Information and Journalism from the University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras, where she studied from 2012 to 2017. Her educational background supports her expertise in emergency management, particularly in recovery processes and hazard mitigation.
Background in Communications
Karen began her professional career at Her Campus Media as a Writer from 2013 to 2016 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This role allowed her to develop her communication skills, which she later integrated into her work in emergency management. Additionally, she gained research experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant at both Oklahoma Mesonet in 2016 and the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras from 2016 to 2017.
Passion for Natural Hazards Planning
Karen is passionate about planning for natural hazards, hazard mitigation, and building resiliency. Her interdisciplinary background combines communications and business continuity, equipping her with a unique perspective on recovery processes. This passion drives her commitment to enhancing community preparedness and response to natural disasters.