IAAO Board of Directors, Region 3
Karen S. Beattie, RES, FIAAO is an accomplished Assessor for the Town of Scituate, Rhode Island, with over 28 years of experience in the property assessment field. She has developed a reputation for her commitment to fairness, equity, and professional education. Karen has made significant contributions to the broader assessment community.
Karen S. Beattie, RES, FIAAO is an accomplished Assessor for the Town of Scituate, Rhode Island, with over 28 years of experience in the property assessment field. She has developed a reputation for her commitment to fairness, equity, and professional education. Karen has made significant contributions to the broader assessment community.
She is a long-time active member of the IAAO, where she has held leadership roles on various committees and task forces, including chairing both the National vs. In-State Instructor Task Force and the IAAO Conference Content Task Force. Karen is also a Senior Instructor with IAAO, having taught foundational courses for over a decade. She is a recipient of IAAO’s John A. Zangerle Award and Stacey Ford Award.
Karen’s leadership extends to local and regional organizations, including her terms as President of both the Rhode Island Association of Assessing Officers and the Northeast Regional Association of Assessing Officers. Her impact has been recognized through numerous awards, including the NRAAO Catherine E. Pardee Memorial Award and Richard Prendergast Lifetime Achievement Award.
Karen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island and earned the IAAO RES designation in 2016. She is being recognized as an IAAO Fellow this year (2026)! Her dedication to advancing the profession and supporting education has solidified her as a respected leader in the field.
Goals:
- Champion access to high-quality education
- Advocate for expanded training opportunities that are affordable and accessible to all members—regardless of jurisdiction size or location.
- Promote fiscal responsibility
- Support thoughtful budgeting and strategic investments that protect the long-term financial health of IAAO while maximizing value for members.
- Support the diverse needs of all IAAO Members
- Ensure that rural and urban jurisdictions alike have a voice and access to relevant resources, networking, and professional support.
- Strengthen member engagement
- Encourage active participation across the region, listening to member concerns and bringing those perspectives to board discussions.
- Balance innovation with experience
- Bring 28 years of professional insight to help guide the organization forward—honoring IAAO’s legacy while preparing for future challenges and opportunities.
IAAO Involvement and Leadership:
- IAAO Local Host Committee Member, Boston 2004 & Boston 2022
- IAAO Instructor, September 2008 – present (Senior Instructor 2022)
- IAAO Nominating Committee Member 2014
- IAAO RES (Residential Evaluation Specialist) Designation 2016
- IAAO Membership Recognition Committee 2017
- IAAO Representative 2019 – present
- IAAO National vs In-State Instructor Task Force, Chair 2019-2021
- IAAO Conference Content Task Force 2022, Chair-2023-2024
- IAAO Task Force on Professional Recruitment, 2025-2026
State and Regional Association Activities and Leadership:
- President, RIAAO 2004/2005 & 2005/2006
- Held RIAAO Offices of Executive Board Member, Secretary (2002-2003) and Vice President (2004)
- RIAAO Education Committee Chair 2020 – 2024
- NRAAO Newsletter Editor, Northeast News, Fall 1999 – 2016
- NRAAO Representative 2000 – 2018
- NRAAO Vice President 2012/2013
- NRAAO President 2018/2019
- NRAAO Conference Committee, 2000, 2007 & 2013
- NRAAO Conference Chair 2024/2025, Newport, RI
Education:
University of Rhode Island Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, cum laude
Recognition:
- IAAO John A. Zangerlee Award, 2012
- IAAO Stacey Ford Award, 2023
- NRAAO Sherry Vermilya Award, 2003
- NRAAO Catherine E. Pardee Memorial Award, 2011
- NRAAO Richard Prendergast Lifetime Achievement Award, 2024