Karen Chappel is strongly committed to community and local government. Karen is a board member of various boards and committees.

Being Shire President at Morawa since 2009, a Life Member of the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), President of the Northern Country Zone of WALGA, on the UWA Pathway to Politics Advisory Committee, and formerly President of WALGA and Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA).

Karen has a Diploma in Local Government (Elected Member) and is a graduate of AICD. Karen has a strong connection to regional WA, having farmed in partnership with Lindsay Chappel south of Morawa for the last 30 years.

Karen was a founding member of both Rural West and NEFF.