Karolyn Sinanan began her VA career at the VA Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin in 1977. She worked as a psychiatric nursing assistant prior to transferring to Medical Administration Service (MAS) where she performed a variety of administrative positions. Karolyn was promoted to Chief, Ambulatory Care and supervised the Admissions Office, Outpatient Clinic, Prosthetics, Death Details, and Travel. She was employed by Tomah VAMC for nine years.

Karolyn performed secretarial duties for the Operations Major at the Army Reserve Readiness Training Center (ARRTC) at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. She also worked as an ARRTC Orders Clerk and filled vacancies for ARRTC classes. She worked at Fort McCoy in 1987 to 1988.

Karolyn was the supervisor of the Files Room at the VA Medical Center in Houston, Texas in 1988 briefly before transferring to the Houston VA Regional Office (VARO). Karolyn's VA Compensation and Pension career began at the Houston VARO. Karolyn first job was a Claims Clerk. She was promoted to a Veterans Service Representative (VSR) and then promoted to a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR). She also worked as a Decision Review Officer (DRO) in Houston. Karolyn worked at the Houston VARO for eight years before moving to Minnesota.

Karolyn worked as a Personnel Clerk in the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Minneapolis from 1997 to 1999. She received the Civil Servant of the Year Award for contributions in her duties as a Personnel Clerk and also for establishing a computerized data base for Food Inspector and Veterinary Medical Officer employment applications.

Karolyn transferred from USDA to the St. Paul VARO in Minnesota in 1999. She worked in the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Section for eight years prior to her retirement. Karolyn was a Rating Veterans Service Representative (RVSR) and Decision Review Officer (DRO). In addition to assisting veterans with their claims, Karolyn also gave training on C&P laws and policy. She presented training to peers, subordinates, and to the Minnesota County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO) on several occasions. Karolyn retired in January 2008 with a total of 28 years of federal service.

Karolyn is the mother of two sons. Her oldest son is a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a catapult captain on the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71 nuclear aircraft carrier. He resides in Utah with his wife and four children where he is a Project Manager at STERIS Medical Equipment. Karolyn's youngest son is a KC-10 pilot and currently in the Air Force Reserves after serving ten years of Active Duty. He resides with his wife and twin sons in Pennsylvania. He flies the MD-11 for FEDEX.

Karolyn graduated from Tomah High School at the top of her class and attended college at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and Houston Community College in Texas. Karolyn and her husband, Stanley, reside in Blaine, Minnesota, a northern suburb of Minneapolis.