Karen Howard

Karen Howard is an award-winning entrepreneur, with over 24 years’ experience as a successful business owner in professional services sectors. She brings to the Foundation over 23 years’ successful track record as a respected Non-executive Director and Board Chair with cross-sector expertise including regional development, co-operatives/ membership-based organisations, small business, health, tourism and education.

Karen is currently a Non-executive Director of previously publicly listed and now private, Alloggio Group Limited, and Independent Board Chair of Australian fintech business Nuvola Group.

Previous directorships include Business Hunter (formerly Hunter Business Chamber – Director and President), Hunter Medicare Local (now known as Hunter Primary Care – Director and Board Chair), NSW Business Chamber (now known as Business NSW – elected Director) and Hunter Central Coast Development Corporation – Board member.

Karen brings to the Foundation strong personal and professional networks throughout private, public, and not-for profit sectors Australia-wide and in 2013 was the recipient of the Hunter TAFE Inaugural Alumni Award for Contribution to Business. Awarded a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2009, Karen is committed to broadening the reach of business involvement in the Foundation’s scholarships and awards programs, ensuring more TAFE NSW students across the Hunter and Central Coast have the opportunity to complete their studies and are supported to achieve their career goals.