Karen M. Podsiadly served as President of American Baptist Churches USA for the 2020-2021 Biennium. A native of Rochester New York, Podsiadly was educated at State University of New York College at Geneseo and Western Illinois University with degrees in Sociology and College Student Personnel, respectively. Currently the Director of Community Development at The College at Brockport (SUNY), she has served for over twenty-five years in a variety of settings within American Higher Education. Podsiadly previously served as President of Rochester Genesee Region of American Baptist Churches, Inc. and recently as chair of the Executive Director Search Committee for the region. She has also served on the Board of Directors at The Community Place of Greater Rochester and as a Church Trustee and President of Women’s Ministry at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. She also currently serves as the Board Chair at ROC Achieve Charter School. Among her greatest passions is mentoring young people with a particular affinity for supporting young women as they make choices towards healthy and successful lives.