Karen Sorensen

Karen Sorensen
Canadian Senator
from Alberta
Assumed office
July 29, 2021
Nominated byJustin Trudeau
Appointed byMary Simon
Preceded byGrant Mitchell
Mayor of Banff
In office
2010 – July 29, 2021
Preceded byJohn Stutz
Succeeded byCorrie DiManno
Banff Town Councillor
In office
2004–2010
Personal details
Born (1959-05-20) May 20, 1959 (age 65)[1]
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Political partyIndependent Senators Group
Alma materUniversity of Guelph

Karen Sorensen (born May 20, 1959) 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

[edit]

Sorensen was born in Orangeville, Ontario.[2]

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.[3] Prior to becoming mayor, Sorensen was a municipal councillor for six years, from 2004 to 2010, and she was a school trustee for four.[3]

Senate

[edit]

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.[4][5] She then joined the Independent Senators Group.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Senators list". Senate of Canada. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Conboy, Marie. "Bow Valley Profiles - Mayor of Banff Karen Sorensen". Bow Valley Crag and Canyon. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Karen Sorensen (Backgrounder)". Prime Minister of Canada. Prime Minister's Office. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen appointed to Senate". CBC News. July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  5. ^ Gilligan, Melissa (July 29, 2021). "Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen resigns to become independent senator". Global News. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "Senator Karen Sorensen". Senate of Canada. Retrieved August 1, 2022.