Karen Standy

Background

About Karen Standy

As an enthusiastic and experienced project manager, I thrive on the project process and seeing a project all come together. I enjoy using my organisational and planning skills, as well as communicating with the whole range of different people. I am skilled at problem-solving and stakeholder relationship management. I have a natural flare for active listening, connecting people, change management and service-based leadership.I am proud to maintain a strong connection with my engineering background and have a love of research and development, innovation and up and coming technologies (especially in the field of renewable energy and sustainability). During my 11 years’ experience in engineering, I was actively involved in the IMechE, organising events and talks for members on a variety of interesting topics, as well as gaining Chartered status.During my role as a Technical Analyst at MPA I project managed client claims to HMRC, working to tight deadlines and managing up to 8 claims in process during one instance. For each claim I had the opportunity to get curious and delve into lots of fascinating innovative work my clients were carrying out.I have a love of learning and development and after being made redundant in March 2020 I actively sought online learning and knowledge to further my development journey, these included courses in Project Management, Counselling, CBT, Mental Health Wellbeing and Climate Change. I completed and passed Agile Project Management, Prince II Project Management and Change Management courses to widen my knowledge base. I am currently studying Level 5 Trauma and Somatic Therapy after qualifying as a Counsellor, passing my Level 4 Counselling Diploma and completing my 100 hours in practise in 2025. I am a registered member of the BACP. I currently work and volunteer as a counsellor at a charity in Milton Keynes. I volunteer and run the Leighton Buzzard Repair Cafe, which I was involved in setting up in 2023, as well as being part of the team trying to start up a library of things under the same organistion. I also volunteer for the Leighton-Linslade Helpers group, who provide food parcels and stock and run the local Community Fridge. I also volunteer at the Winter Night Shelter in Milton Keynes, assist at the local Woodcraft Folk group and am an assistant coach for my son's football team. My focuses and visions are in supporting people and a desire to do my bit of good in the world.