KAREN BRECHER

BRECHER--Karen Iris. Karen Iris Brecher, 49, passed away on May 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. She died at home, surrounded by love, after facing ovarian cancer for two years with characteristic courage and grit. Born on September 18, 1975, in Boston, Massachusetts, Karen was raised to follow her curiosity and champion her convictions. Her parents nurtured her innate drive to explore, question and connect. She graduated from Belmont High School and continued her education at Stanford University, where her lifelong interest in the science of behavioral change was sparked alongside lasting friendships. To many she was known as "Kaz," a name as singular as her vibrant spirit and unique presence. Though she made Los Angeles her home, her inquisitive nature led her to adventures around the world. She cared deeply about the concepts of citizenship, social justice and community-building. This dedication came to life through her ongoing involvement with Civic Collaboratory and her groundbreaking work with Made by Us, where she developed strategies to engage digitally driven youth in the future of democracy through a deeper understanding of the past. Kaz held innovation faculty positions at the THNK School of Creative Leadership in Amsterdam and Vancouver and at Experience Institute, where she transformed the way thousands thought about learning, leading and living with her clarity and boundless creativity. She was especially proud of Sirius Enigmas, an enterprise she co-founded with her father, where together they created and distributed a wide array of "scientific curiosities and wonders." OuiSi ("We-See"), a visual connection game and learning tool, was another of the many joyful collaborations that reflect her spirit of invention and sense of play. Kaz lived with intention. Her motto "the journey is the destination" was more than a phrase, it was a way of life. She offered her time, her knowledge, her enthusiasm and her personal network of resources generously. A tireless champion of her friends' dreams, she was always the first to brainstorm a strategy, run a Kickstarter, evangelize a project and travel thousands of miles to show in-person support. Her love of good food and cocktails was well-known, as were the elaborate Thanksgiving meals she bestowed on family and friends. Her fierce research skills and flair for discovery and delight were also evident in her legendary trip planning, often researching for months to plot the perfect adventure. Among her most treasured traditions were annual trips to Maine with her beloved parents, where they enjoyed berry picking, canoeing and nature watching. Karen's memory will be cherished by those who knew her across the many chapters of her life, from childhood friends in Massachusetts to colleagues and companions in California and around the world. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who were touched by her life, woven into more stories than she will ever know. Karen is survived by her beloved 20-month-old daughter, Birdie Brecher, parents Aviva and Kenneth Brecher, brother Daniel Brecher, nieces Eva Brecher and Eliana Brecher and a vast global village of friends. Karen will be buried in Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. May her memory bring comfort, peace and inspiration to those who mourn her passing. Donations can be made in her name to the ACLU.