Karen Rose is from Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has a bachelor of business administration from James Madison University, and a master commissioner of the revenue from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia. She is married and has two daughters and two grandsons. She also serves as treasurer of Asbury United Methodist United Women in Faith and on the finance committee for Asbury United Methodist Church.

Prior to her election as revenue commissioner, Karen worked for Harrisonburg as the chief deputy for the revenue commissioner. She previously worked as supervising senior accountant for KPMG, controller for The Harmon Companies, and as an accountant for John L. Hopkins III enterprises.

Karen has served as revenue commissioner for the City of Harrisonburg since her election in 2013.