Karen Diazgranados is a public service professional with more than two decades of experience advancing countywide initiatives in grant management, justice reform, community engagement, and innovative revenue development. Guided by a deep commitment to equity and civic impact, she currently serves as Community Grants Administrator for the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, where she manages the County’s Community Grants Program and oversees the full grant lifecycle from program design and guidelines development to application, review, award, and contract execution.
In this role, Karen leads public outreach and technical assistance efforts, administers the online grant and panel review system, facilitates public review panels, prepares funding recommendations and Board agenda items, and serves as the primary liaison to applicants, funded organizations, and community stakeholders. Her work directly supports cultural organizations, artists, and community-based initiatives throughout Miami-Dade County.
Previously, Karen served as Project Manager for the Marketing Partnerships Program within the Miami-Dade County Office of Innovation and Economic Development, supporting the County’s marketing and sponsorship program (Ordinance No. 14-99) to generate alternative, non-tax revenue streams. Working alongside the Revenue Development Coordinator, she managed contracts, evaluated marketable municipal assets, and developed strategic asset bundling opportunities. Her work has contributed to securing more than $22 million in non-tax revenue through strategic public-private partnerships.
From 2016 to 2022, Karen managed two U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation (BCJI) grants, locally known as Project P.E.A.C.E., focused on reducing crime, strengthening public safety, and building trust between residents and law enforcement. She led all community engagement efforts, developed marketing campaigns, and coordinated large-scale, multi-agency community initiatives in collaboration with elected officials, civic leaders, and residents.
Earlier in her career, Karen served for a decade as Referral Reduction Coordinator for Miami-Dade County’s nationally recognized Civil Citation Program, helping divert more than 16,000 youth from the criminal justice system by connecting them with supportive services and positive interventions. Her work earned her a 2008 nomination for Employee of the Year for excellence in customer service.
Karen holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Public Finance, Procurement, and Contract Management from Florida International University, as well as a Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from St. Thomas University. Known as a dynamic public speaker and strategic collaborator, Karen thrives in fast-paced, evolving environments and is passionate about developing and implementing policies and programs that strengthen local government and deliver lasting public impact.
Because she believes in giving back to her community, Karen serves as First Vice Chair on the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board, representing District 5, where she advocates for policies and programs that strengthen community connections and expand access to opportunity.