Karin was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala into the Kʼicheʼ Maya people (she also has Latine lineage). When she was four years old, she immigrated to the U.S. with her mother and sister and was reunited with her maternal abuelita (grandmother). Although she had a difficult childhood and faced many difficulties as an immigrant/refugee, her family always encouraged her to receive an education. Karin received an Associate Degree from Palomar Community College; a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Global Business Management and Marketing from California State University, San Marcos; and studied Federal Indian Law and Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law where she earned the Certification Working in Contemporary Native Nations.
Karin is a professional with two decades of experience working with underrepresented youth. As a mother of Urban Native American youth, Karin has dedicated her career to Indian Education. For almost 15 years, she worked for Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association (SCTCA) as their Lead Education Coordinator. While at SCTCA, she utilized her extensive network to develop and implement student programs centered on culture, education and prevention. She also provided non-clinical case management, crisis intervention, and support services to underrepresented, under-resourced and high-need youth and their families and communities.
As an Indigenous woman, who is a long-standing member of the Native American Urban community, Karin has worked tirelessly to build community relations with local tribal communities, tribal organizations, colleges and universities, and community organizations to build a stronger support system for Native American youth. She has served as a cultural advisor and educator, on planning committees for local, state, and national conferences, on Board of Directors and Advisory Councils, and powwow planning committees.