Karen Kelleher

As BLM Idaho State Director, Kelleher oversees approximately 12 million acres of public lands, representing nearly one-fourth of the state's total land area, for multiple uses including livestock grazing, mining, conservation and recreation.

Kelleher’s career in federal service began more than two decades ago with the BLM, serving as planner, environmental coordinator, district manager, field manager and monument manager. She has held several key leadership positions in recent years including Senior Advisor to Assistant Secretary-Land and Minerals Management, Deputy Assistant Director for Resources and Planning in Washington, DC, and most recently served as the Associate State Director for BLM’s Arizona State Office since 2018.

Kelleher earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. and a master’s degree in environmental management from Duke University in Durham, N.C.