Karen Haskell is an entrepreneur who brings her business background and management experience to the partnership. Karen was the founding partner of a successful educational software company, Spectrum Training Corporation, before meeting Michela Larson and Jody Adams. Armed with their assurance that the restaurant business was riskier and therefore more fun, Karen partnered with Michela and Jody to open RIALTO, and most recently, RED CLAY. She provides the structure and focus to help the businesses grow.

Karen has an M.Ed. from Columbia University and is active in community-related activities, as a trustee of The Children's Museum and as a board member of a new music festival.