Karen Kraft rowed the pair at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics, winning a silver medal in 1996 and a bronze medal in 2000. She also competed in the pair at the 1995 World Championships and the 1999 Pan American Games, winning silver medals at both regattas. At the Lucerne International Regatta she won a gold in the pair in 1996 and a bronze in 1995.
Kraft rowed in college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, although it was only a club program. She later became a rowing coach at the University of Wisconsin. Married and later Karen Rigsby, she also worked as a yoga teacher and personal trainer.