A native of Chicago from a proud union home, Dr. Karen Suarez Flint serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the Chicago Federation of Musicians Local 10-208 and is a Vice President on the Illinois AFL-CIO Executive Board. Prior to her leadership position, Karen served on the CFM’s Fair Employment Practice Committee and helped steer Local 10-208’s implementation of the #NotMe app in 2020. A passionate advocate for workplace safety, she founded the Change the Culture Committee made up of women leaders throughout the AFM, whose work resulted in the AFM’s adoption of a Code of Conduct and the #NotMe reporting app. Karen has appeared on America’s Workforce Union Podcast and the Workers’ Mic Podcast to discuss her efforts in the fight for fair wages, workplace safety and organizing collectively against the exploitation of hip hop artists in Chicago’s “Pay-to-Play” scene. As a horn player, Karen has extensive experience performing with symphony orchestras, jazz and chamber music ensembles, and musical theater companies. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois, a Master’s degree, Performer’s Certificate, and Doctorate degree in Performance & Literature from the Eastman School of Music, and served as Professor of Horn at Carthage College for 21 years.