Karen Cashman started skating at the Commonwealth Figure Skating Club of Randolph, Massachusetts, twice winning the New England Junior title in figure skating. She also ran varsity track at North Quincy High School before attending Northern Michigan University. In addition to her Olympic medal, Cashman won two bronze medals at the 1993 and 1995 World Winter University Games in the short-track relay. Her former club now awards the Karen Cashman Award to the best young skater at the club, and Karen Cashman-Lehman serves as a skating coach at the club, in addition to her work as a French teacher.