Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is pleased to announce four new members to its board of directors. The new members are Karen Byers, former Managing Director and CFO of The John & Mary R. Markle Foundation; Carol Flaton, a former banking and finance professional; Matthew King, Senior Counsel for Google; and Michael Obasohan, Chief Diversity Officer for the City of Pittsfield. They join a board of 20 members from across the region.
Karen Byers is a leader in finance and strategic management. She was the Managing Director and CFO of The John & Mary R. Markle Foundation in New York City, which undertook projects in information technology focused on health, national security, and the workforce. Karen also held leadership roles at the Theatre Communications Group and KPMG. She is deeply involved in community service and volunteers for organizations in northwest Connecticut, including a role as Treasurer of LJMN Media, Inc. (The Lakeville Journal / The Millerton News). As part of a U.S. Foreign Service family, she had a European and American upbringing and was educated in German for four years. Karen holds an M.B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, an M.A. in Philosophy from Bryn Mawr College, and a B.A. in Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude, from Wheaton College. She resides in Canaan Valley, Conn., with her spouse Lillie Mikesell.
Carol Flaton is a former financial advisor with expertise in restructuring, risk management and governance. She currently serves as an independent director for companies undergoing transformation and has recently served on the boards of Hornblower, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Talen Energy Supply. Carol was a Managing Director at AlixPartners, specializing in restructurings and turnarounds. Prior to AlixPartners she was a Managing Director at Lazard where she advised debtors, creditors and equity holders engaged in restructurings, debt exchanges, 363 sales, acquisitions, refinancings and capital raises. Carol earned her B.S.B.A. from the University of Delaware and her M.B.A. from the IMD (International Institute of Management Development) in Lausanne, Switzerland. A resident of Sharon, Conn., she is an elected member of the town’s Board of Finance and serves on the board of NCLC (Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy) the state’s largest land trust.
Matthew King is a Senior Counsel for Google, where he works on a variety of strategic products and initiatives. Prior to Google, Matthew was an Associate in the Technology Transactions Group at Morrison & Foerster, a global law firm. He cares deeply about engagement and helping to support a thriving and sustainable community. A longtime resident of Berkshire County, he is involved in a variety of organizations with a focus on the arts, the environment, and LGBTQIA+ issues. Matthew earned his B.A. from Columbia University and his J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law. He and his husband live in Otis, Mass.
Michael Obasohan, Chief Diversity Officer for the City of Pittsfield since 2022, has worked across higher education and local and state government sectors, focusing on racial justice and creating inclusive communities. He oversees the integration and development of Pittsfield’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Department for staff, and he fosters strategic partnerships with local businesses to champion DEI for just outcomes for diverse communities. Michael was a leader in student life and academic affairs for over ten years at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in North Adams, serving as the Assistant Director of Diversity Programs & Multicultural Education and Associate Director of College Readiness and Success. Prior to that, he was an Academic Advisor at Berkshire Community College in the TRiO program that serves students of color, first-generation, and students with disabilities. Micheal also served as an elected City Councilor in North Adams and, during his tenure, worked with Northern Berkshire Community Coalition and U.S. Department of Justice to bring the City-SPIRIT program to Berkshire County. He used this opportunity to create a space for communities of color to participate in civic engagement. Michael earned an M.S. in Higher Education from Bay Path University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Higher Education and Leadership from UMass Amherst, and a B.A. in Arts Management from MCLA. Michael’s consultancy work includes developing LGBTQIA+ and cultural competency training for local businesses and nonprofits throughout Berkshire County, where he lives.
