• Hi, my name is Karen MacDowell, my husband Dave Hanlon and I have lived in South Riding since 2008. Our grown children live in Fairfax, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia. I'm a lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, and a graduate of the University of Virginia. I've been involved in real estate here for most of my working career, initially as a realtor and more recently with local title companies. While I worked for Walker Title, LLC, I was a closing agent for properties in South Riding, Stone Ridge, Brambleton, and Ashburn. In 2016, I started my own company providing bookkeeping services for local area businesses.

    My experience in real estate and my time as a South Riding resident have helped me appreciate what a special community South Riding is. I've served South Riding by volunteering as a member of the Community Standards Committee (formerly known as the Covenants Committee) and then by being elected to the Board of Directors.

    Goals for serving South Riding

    I have five main goals for my service in South Riding:

    1) Represent my neighbors by being accessible to communicate issues, concerns, suggestions, and questions.

    2) Increase resident's understanding of HOA policies and procedures.

    3) Help make residents more aware of all the wonderful programs offered by the Proprietary.

    4) Ensure that upgrades and enhancements to the neighborhood continue and that they complement the community.

    5) Maintain the downhome feeling that makes South Riding such a great place to live!

    Relevant South Riding community activities

    Park and Recreation Committee 2024 to present (current Chairman)

    Board of Directors, Secretary 2022 to 2023

    Board of Directors, President 2020 to 2022

    Board of Directors, Vice President 2019 to 2020

    Board of Directors, Secretary 2018 to 2019

    Board of Directors, Director 2017 to 2018

    Chairman of the Community Standards Committee March 2016 - May 2017 Vice Chair of the Covenants Committee 2015- February 2016

    Member of the Covenants Committee 2013 - 2017

    South Riding Distinguished Service Award Winner 2014, 2022

    Volunteer Fall Fest 2013 and 2015

    Other leadership activities:

    Treasurer, UV A Club of Loudoun 2015 - 2018

    Active member of the UV A Reunions Committee since 1996

    Fonner President and Treasurer of the Oakton High School Athletic Boosters Club