As Chief Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships Officer at Healthsperien, Karen supports NPHI as Chief Philanthropy Officer through our Philanthropy Collaborative and builds strategic relationships for the Innovation Lab. Her work focuses on growing philanthropic support for initiatives that advance NPHI’s priorities.

Karen is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than two decades of leadership experience in hospice and advanced illness care. Most recently, she served as President of Chapters Health West while also leading Nathan Adelson Hospice in Southern Nevada. Having joined Nathan Adelson Hospice in 2007 and assumed the role of President and CEO in 2019, she played a pivotal role in strengthening the organization’s reputation as Nevada’s leading provider of compassionate, patient-centered end-of-life care.

Throughout her tenure, Karen led efforts to expand access to hospice services, strengthen operations, advance innovative care programs and build strategic partnerships. Her expertise in philanthropy, major gift fundraising, organizational leadership and strategic planning helped drive meaningful improvements in care delivery and community engagement. Her leadership contributed to improving the lives of thousands of patients and families across Southern Nevada.

Karen holds a B.A. in English from Eastern Illinois University and an M.A. in Administration from Dominican University in Illinois. She is also a graduate of the Thayer Institute, where she earned a master’s degree in Leadership Arts and Sciences.

Her professional and community contributions are extensive, including service on the boards of the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI), Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, Nevada Donor Network and Vegas PBS. Her leadership has earned numerous accolades, including the 2024 Executive of the Year Award from the Las Vegas Chamber, the 2024 Nurse’s Choice in Administration Award from The Arc Nevada Excellence in Nursing and the Community Achievement Award from the Vegas Asian American Group. She was also named Hospice Partner of the Year by Nevada Donor Network.

Additional recognitions include being named a 2023 Healthcare Hero, one of Nevada Business Magazine’s 2022 Women to Watch, a Top 100 Woman by MyVegas Magazine and a 2015 Woman to Watch by Vegas Inc. In 2012, she was recognized as one of 10 Women Who Mean Business by the Las Vegas Business Press. She is also a 2018 Jameson Fellow and a 2011 Leadership Las Vegas graduate.

Throughout her career, Karen has been a dedicated advocate for improving access to high-quality hospice and advanced illness care. Her experience bringing together healthcare organizations, philanthropic partners and community leaders continues to inform her work advancing innovation, collaboration and mission-driven care.