“As your Douglas County Commissioner, I am dedicated to remaining open to new perspectives, striving to work across factions, and honoring the diverse stakeholders of our vibrant Douglas County.”
Experience and Problem Solving
Karen believes problem solving happens best when we approach issues with curiosity, collaboration, and community. She will continue to stand for open civil discourse and will apply her scientific background to result in well-researched, data-driven decisions. With this approach, she will focus on equity, economics, and the environment in the next term.
Economics
Support opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs to thrive
Encourage growing local businesses and new industry to expand our tax base
Explore local tax relief for income-burdened seniors and Veterans
Address affordability and the residential tax burden
Environment
Balance global environmental responsibility with local needs
Connect citizens to resources that protect cultural spaces, prairies, woodlands, and wetlands through the Douglas County Open Space Program
Expand local food and farming systems
Begin a community discussion around the future of the Wakarusa Valley
Equity
Evaluate all components of the crisis care and justice systems to reflect community values for service and cost
Address the long-term needs of our unhoused population through supportive housing
Center the needs of seniors in discussions of housing
Ensure that voices from diverse lived experiences are represented in policy decisions
Stay up-to-date with the campaign
Sign up for the campaign newsletter which provides updates on events Karen will be attending, more insights into the topics affecting Douglas County, and ways to support the campaign.
More ways to connect
Contact Karen
Have thoughts, concerns, or ideas?
Attend a Commission meeting
Commission work sessions begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, and business meetings follow at 5:30 p.m. You are always welcome to attend via Zoom or in person. You can view past meetings at https://www.youtube.com/@douglascountyks
About Karen
With her volunteer service in public safety, justice, and housing, Karen shows that she is ready to do the work it takes for our community. As a County Commissioner, Karen takes time to listen to all points of view and weigh competing values to find the best win for the community.
Karen is the right leader to address the complex challenges facing Douglas County. Her varied volunteer and professional roles allow her to harness the strengths of our business, nonprofit, and government efforts in solving community problems. Karen is connected to a diverse range of local stakeholders such as the KU research community, the county’s many housing partners, and the Chamber of Commerce, but also brings a needed understanding of Douglas County's vibrant rural communities. Karen’s deep roots in Lawrence and the surrounding area allow her to connect on a personal level with the full spectrum of Douglas County residents in the 3rd District and beyond.
Driven by strong personal integrity and a profound commitment to serve, Karen embodies dedication and wisdom in her role proudly serving Douglas County.
Karen’s Background
Karen holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Ph.D. in Geography, both from KU. During that time she taught geography, field ecology, and agroecology. Much of her career, though, has been as an entrepreneur, co-owning several businesses with her husband, Scott Eudaly including Bluestem Machine Works, Inc., a design and manufacturing company creating innovative forklift trucks. She currently works as a non-profit consultant with Futureful. Recently, Karen co-created FarmTender.us, an online tool with a mission to connect regenerative farmers with eco-friendly landowners. As a commissioner, she also serves on the board for the KU Innovation Park and Lawrence’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board (AHAB). Previously, she served six years with the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission and is a proud 2020 graduate of Leadership Lawrence.
After moving around the midwest and Germany growing up, Karen has lived her entire adult life in Lawrence and Douglas County, adding another generation to a family history here that dates back to 1857. She, her husband, and their daughter currently raise grass fed beef cattle on a farm south of town and her extended family lives in Lawrence. She teaches a brief Douglas County history lesson each year for Leadership Lawrence and loves to share local stories!
In addition to her service on the commission Karen’s current roles in the community include:
2023-2024 fellow-in-residence at the Dole Institute of Politics
12 years as a volunteer firefighter with Willow Springs Fire District 3
8 years as a board member of the Kansas Rural Center
5 years as president or vice-president of the Baldwin Retirement Apartment Complex (BRAC)
3 years as secretary of the NAACP Legal Redress Committee
Commissioner Willey believes there is much more work to do to support affordability and economic development while stewarding our environment. During her time on the commission to date, Douglas County has:
Supported the opening of a 24/7 Treatment and Recovery Center
Adopted the Douglas County Open Space Plan
Approved with conditions the Kansas Sky Energy Center
Initiated a pilot program of tax relief for seniors
Lowered the county tax mill levy more than any commission in
20 years.
