Karen Schmitt Roberts

BBA ’80 (Finance), Zeta Tau Alpha
Human Resources Manager, Els for Autism Foundation

North Palm Beach, FL

Karen Schmitt Roberts is a 1980 graduate of Stetson University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and later receiving an MBA from FAU in Boca. She started her career in Finance at Pratt & Whitney in West Palm Beach as a result of obtaining the job through Stetson’s career placement Office. After five years in Finance at Pratt & Whitney, she moved to their Human Resources department where she worked for another 15 years, attaining the position of Manager, Workforce Diversity.

After a career with Pratt spanning 20 years, she spent the next 17 years as the HR Director at the Area Agency on Aging Palm Beach/Treasure Coast. Following her passion for HR in the not-for-profit sector, Karen became the first HR professional at Els for Autism Foundation in Jupiter, Florida, a role she has held since 2022. She also served as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College for seven years, teaching several SHRM certification courses.

Karen has always felt the need to volunteer and give back, a passion ignited after joining Zeta Tau Alpha as a freshman at Stetson. Since then, she served in a number of volunteer capacities including 15 years as board chair of Inspirit, dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by providing live quality performances to those living in restricted environments. Over the years, she has been very involved in her local HR Association, serving in a variety of volunteer capacities and receiving a number of awards from her peers including a lifetime achievement award, volunteer and mentor of the year awards, and most recently, the diversity and inclusion champion award.

She is a member of the Palm Beach County ZTA Alumnae Chapter where she serves as the Inclusion chair; serves as a member of the North Palm Beach General Employees Pension Board, and starting in September 2025, as the chair of Stetson’s College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board. As an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees, she serves on the Board’s Student Experience and Success Committee. 

Karen previously served on the Alumni board of directors and as a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board. She is also a proud graduate of Leadership Stetson.

In 2025, Karen endowed a scholarship which helps to fund Stetson students’ summer internship opportunities. She has also been very involved in the Soul of Stetson -- the alumni initiative to rebuild Hulley Tower, as well as taking an active role in the Friends of the Hand Art Museum. 

Karen resides in North Palm Beach, Florida with her husband Mark.