Basic Info

First Name

Karen

Last Name

Hinks

Username

GirlUnCensored

Additional Contact Information

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Website

linktr.ee/karenahinks

Progressive Profile

Current Employer

Self

Current Occupation

Political Consultant

Tagline

Political Strategist and Advocate for Change

Bio

From my early days growing up in Indiana during the transformative 1960’s, I have been deeply committed to social justice and political activism. The civil rights movements and pivotal historical events of the era, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, shaped my views towards a dedicated career in politics and advocacy.

I embarked on my political journey with a seminal internship under the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Congressional Internship Program in Washington, DC, as a junior in college. This experience solidified my resolve to make a significant impact in politics.  After graduating from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, with a double major in English Literature and Writing, I moved to Washington, DC and began my notable decades’ long career in politics.

Throughout  my extensive career, I have played pivotal roles in various capacities with political campaigns at the federal state and local levels, political action committees (PACs) and non-profit organizations.

In 2005, I relocated to Southern California first as the Finance Director of a Federal campaign, but also took on the role of Executive Director of the Democratic Foundation of Orange County (DFOC), where I continued my advocacy and political management. With a focus on Progressive Democratic women, Women of Color and women living in under-represented communities, I d and currently chairs, Welead OC PAC, dedicated to encouraging Progressive Democratic women to step into their power to lead their communities as activists, campaign professionals and/or as city councils and school board candidates.

In early 2024, I returned to Washington, DC, continuing the battle against the extremist agenda, building communities to rebuild and strengthen our democracy.

My ongoing commitment to foster democratic participation for marginalized communities, defines my professional ethos. My career is not just by the positions I’ve held, but by a persistent pursuit of a more equitable and representative political landscape.

 

 

Impact

In 2013 I founded and chair Welead OC PAC, with a bold vision: to seek and empower talented, passionate Progressive women Democrats in red and purple districts.  Welead OC PAC is dedicated to developing leaders, helping them step confidently into their power, embrace their unique strengths and assert their voices, whether they’re launching campaigns for local city council or school board seats, leading grassroots movements or working as campaign professionals driving candidates to victory.

Welead OC has been successful flipping red districts (local races) over the years and successfully turning out a significant number of activists who otherwise never participated in any political or civic action.

Mission

In this election cycle, as well as those following, I am hoping to work collaboratively with other Progressive organizations to develop a long-term strategy to fight against the anti-democratic, extremist agenda, an agenda the far right has been crafting for decades. As Democrats we are short-sighted. We strategize for whatever election cycle is staring us in the face. As we teeter on the brink of losing every freedom we’ve enjoyed during our lifetime, it is a must to do a deep dive into what has gone wrong over the years and what we must do to implement change.

Work History

Employer

Campaigns Plus Consulting Group

Occupation

Founder/Principal/Consultant

Employer

Welead OC PAC

Occupation

Founder/Chair

Education

School

Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

Degree

B.A. English Literature/Writing

Graduation Date

May 15, 1977