Karen Dehart

About Karen Dehart

Karen DeHart, Associate Commissioner, is responsible for directing, administering, and coordinating Branding, Marketing & Corporate Partnerships, Merchandising & Licensing, and Development efforts for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.Karen earned her Bachelor\'s degree in physical education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1990). She was a “walk-on” Lady Tar Heel during the 1987-88 basketball season, and while working part-time, participated in various intramural sports, and earned Dean\'s List honors. She then attended graduate school at UNC-CH and earned a Master\'s degree in Exercise and Sports Science (1995) while working as a Graduate Assistant teaching undergraduate physical education classes and serving as an Assistant Track Coach for Chapel Hill High School. Karen has also worked in the corporate fitness sector, taught K - 5 health and physical education, and coached J.V. and Varsity girls\' high school volleyball and basketball.The daughter of a retired USAF CMSGT, Karen resided throughout the US and overseas prior to making North Carolina her home in 1983. During her high school athletic career, Karen lettered in several sports including field hockey, cross-country, softball, basketball, and track. Karen graduated from Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, NC in 1986.Serving the NCHSAA since July 1994, Karen has actively participated at the national level through numerous presentations related to partnerships, ticket sales, investments, and marketing at National Federation of State High School Association meetings.

Experience

1. Associate Commissioner - Development, Marketing and Administrative Services

   Nchsaa

   Jul 1994 — Present · Chapel Hill, NC, US

   Develops and implements the business development, marketing, and branding strategies for the NCHSAA including responsibility for achieving fundraising goals and engaging partners in ongoing service activities including leveraging key relationships and contacts both in-state and nationally to ensure meeting the organization’s annual revenue goals.• Directs and administers sponsorship program including cultivation and retention of existing partnerships.• Primary liaison with outside marketing firms.• Creates and implements annual business development plan and strategy including overall development efforts to raise annual funds necessary for operating expenses (including championship events) and special projects/programs.• Operating budget analysis with recommendations to Commissioner. • Reviews and estimates event budgets to calculate funding needs.• Develops and implements special fundraising events as needed.• Contract review/negotiation with vendors, licensees, and corporate sponsors to manage partnership strategies.• Liaison for partnerships involving sports commissions, chambers of commerce and convention and visitors bureau entities. • Co-develops media and advertising partnerships to generate and create enhanced statewide awareness.• Represents NCHSAA at state championship events, speaking engagements and is responsible for coordinating and implementing strategies to promote statewide and national awareness for the NCHSAA.

Education

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  BA

  1986 — 1990

Skills

• Marketing
• Nonprofits
• Sponsorship
• Player Development
• Powerpoint
• Coaching
• Sports Management
• Ticket Sales
• Leadership
• Athletic Administration
• Basketball
• Media Guides
• Social Networking
• Social Media Marketing
• Basketball Coaching
• Football
• Microsoft Word
• Event Planning
• Public Speaking
• Camps
• Press Releases
• Social Media
• Sports Marketing
• Player Personnel
• Athletic Training
• Click Effects
• Customer Service
• Research
• Sponsorship Sales
• Strategic Planning
• Management
• Budgets
• Physical Education
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Sports
• Fundraising
• Public Relations
• Marketing Strategy
• Naming Rights