Staff

Karen has been working in the non-profit sector for more than 30 years as both a volunteer and a staff member. She began the role of Executive Director of CARITAS in 2000. In 2007, Karen took on the dual role as Executive Director for The Healing Place, a long-term residential recovery program for men struggling with substance use disorders. She guided the efforts to merge the organizations in 2012. Karen works with the Board of Directors and staff leaders to set the vision and priorities for the year, ensuring that the programs have the resources they need to help our participants successfully navigate their journeys. In addition, Karen builds relationships with other community leaders and partners.

Karen has a Bachelor’s of Science from Oklahoma State University and is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. Karen’s awards and honors include: the Stettinius Award for Non-Profit Leadership, United Way’s “Champion for Change” of 2008, 2010 YWCA Outstanding Woman Award, 2010 Better Housing Coalition’s Creative Collaborator Award, Richmond Magazine’s Bold Women of 2020, 2021 Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year Honoree, and the Leadership Metro Richmond’s Ukrop Community Vision Award in 2022. Karen has served as an appointed member of the Governor’s Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism and on the boards of Homeward and Leadership Metro Richmond. In October 2012, Karen was inducted in the Virginia First Lady’s FLITE Hall of Fame for Women in Business. She previously served on the vestry of St. James’s Episcopal Church.

What she loves about working at CARITAS: I love seeing the light come back in our program participants’ eyes and seeing them start to believe in themselves. We always say that we love our participants until they can love themselves.

Her favorite place in Richmond: Any new restaurant that’s getting rave reviews.

Karen has been a leader at CARITAS since 2009. She has helped drive the growth and vision of the agency, including founding the CARITAS Furniture Bank and turning the CARITAS Center project into a reality. She leads and oversees the operations for all of CARITAS’s programs and facilities. She is passionate about effective leadership, powerful partnerships, and sustainable change. While her business background started at a Fortune 500 company, Karen’s entrepreneurial spirit and expertise sharpened as a co-owner of a GE distribution center in Richmond, VA.

Karen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a minor in math from Hartwick College. Karen is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond, a 2016 Stettinius Leadership Award winner, and recipient of Boomer Magazines “IT” list award for 2013. Karen also earned a Mini MBA from the University of Richmond and graduated from the Bank of America Program.

What she loves about working at CARITAS: My life is richer thanks to the people I work with and the neighbors we come alongside. Radical HOPE demands we always believe the human spirit is stronger than our brokenness. This belief is at the center of our work, our culture, and in our hearts at CARITAS, making every day an opportunity for mutual healing.

Her favorite place in Richmond: Outside! I love spending time on the river, state parks, golf courses, bike/walking trails, and the pickleball court!

Clara directs all fundraising efforts at CARITAS. She joined the staff in 2015 and soon thereafter helped launch and manage the largest capital campaign in the agency’s history. With a fabulous team of development professionals, Clara is responsible for ensuring the financial needs of our programs are fulfilled through the philanthropic support of our community.

Prior to CARITAS, Clara has more than a decade of nonprofit fundraising experience as well as eight years as a Specialty Cut Flower Farm owner and operator. Clara received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Wofford College and is a 2016 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and a 2001 graduate of Leadership Charlotte. Clara serves on the executive board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Virginia Chapter and also as the Chairperson of AFP’s National Philanthropy Day. She is a member of the Appomattox Education Foundation Board of Directors, and President of the A.R.G.S. Theater Arts Boosters.

What she loves about working at CARITAS: I love authentic conversations with supporters and learning about their inspiration to give. It is my great privilege to work alongside our participants where I witness a magical space of loving and living that is uniquely CARITAS.

Her favorite place in Richmond: When I am not at work, you can find me hiking along the river, at the VMFA, or sitting on my porch with neighbors.

As our Chief Financial Officer, Elly provides leadership and management of the financial and accounting departments at CARITAS. She sets and tracks the success of our long-term operational goals, budgets, and forecasts and implements strategies to improve CARITAS’ overall performance. As our Director of Human Resources, Elly plans, leads, directs, develops, and coordinates the policies and activities associated with CARITAS’ staff from recruitment to wellness to legal compliance.

Elly earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vassar College.

What she loves about working at CARITAS: I get to see first hand the positive impact CARITAS makes in people’s lives, plus I get to work with amazing people–people who are incredibly inspiring and awesome.

Her favorite place in Richmond: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts because it is a living example of creativity across time.

Ben developed and now manages the newest CARITAS program: the Recovery Residences, which offers a safe, substance-free living environment for newly sober men and women to live, save funds, navigate resources, connect to the local recovery community, and build habits to support long-term sobriety. Ben began as a participant of The Healing Place in 2017 and applies his own experiences in his work every day. He is a CARITAS Works graduate and an alumnus of The Healing Place. He has since earned several honors and certifications: Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Registered Peer Recovery Specialist, Certified REVIVE! Trainer, and Virginia Association of Recovery Residences Board of Directors member.

What he loves about working at CARITAS: This organization has given me the opportunity to attempt to repay the debt that I owe for my life. There were others before me that paved the way of compassion and support, and I get to try to pay it forward on a daily basis.

His favorite place in Richmond: Pocahontas State Park; Galley Restaurant and anywhere I can get to the water, woods, or trails.