Karen Neal
Executive Director @Nacd Heartland Chapter
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WORK HISTORY
Executive Director @Nacd Heartland Chapter
Kansas City, MO, US
NACD Heartland Chapter – National Association of Corporate DirectorsExecutive Director (Title progression; responsibilities consistent since 2021)February 2021 – Present | Kansas City, MO (Remote, serving six markets)Provide executive leadership for a five-state professional association serving corporate board directors, C-suite executives, and governance professionals. Partner with the Chapter Board and NACD National to align strategic priorities with operations, overseeing programs, sponsorship, and engagement across six markets.Key Responsibilities—Lead strategy and operations across Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City—delivering high-impact programming for over governance leaders—Collaborate with the Board to translate long-range goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes—Serve as liaison between the Chapter Board, NACD National, and a broad network of sponsors, members, and guests to ensure alignment with governance and educational priorities—Oversee the full program lifecycle—from topic development and speaker recruitment to logistics, marketing, and communications—Lead remote teams of governance professionals and volunteer leaders, fostering collaboration and consistency across markets—Cultivate and steward sponsor relationships, ensuring alignment between partner value and Chapter mission—Engage new members to understand their goals and connect them with meaningful relationships, resources, and programs.Selected Achievements—Expanded the Chapter’s footprint from a single-city to a six-market regional model by empowering local governance leaders—Increased member participation through tailored, accessible programming aligned with regional board priorities—Strengthened visibility and influence through relationship-driven engagement and cross-market collaboration—Delivered consistently high-quality, mission-aligned programs that advance effective board governance and leadership.
EDUCATION
Johnson County Community College
Associate of Arts, Paralegal Studies
Dale Carnegie
Leadership Training
Park University
Bachelor of Science Social Psychology, Psychology
Midwest Center For Nonprofit Leadership
Certificate Professional Fundraising
University of Missouri-Kansas City
Master of Public Administration (MPA), Dual emphasis: Nonprofit Management & Urban Policy & Administration
ABOUT KAREN NEAL
I’m passionate about creating clarity from complexity—connecting people, ideas, and strategies to move organizations forward. With over 18 years of experience spanning nonprofit, education, and legal sectors, I specialize in translating big-picture goals into actionable plans that foster alignment, collaboration, and measurable impact. As Executive Director of the NACD Heartland Chapter, I partner with board and executive leaders to drive strategic operations across five states. My work centers on aligning priorities, building trusted relationships, and coordinating multi-organization teams to deliver high-impact programs for corporate directors and governance professionals. I thrive in environments where strategy meets execution—bringing structure, foresight, and calm to fast-moving initiatives. My leadership experience extends beyond direct reports to include cross-sector teams and partners from multiple companies and industries. I’ve built coalitions, guided multi-stakeholder projects, and fostered alignment across organizations with differing goals, ensuring shared success and collective accountability. At my core, I’m a connector and strategist—known for sound judgment, thoughtful communication, and an ability to unite diverse people and priorities around a common vision. I bring a steady, solutions-oriented approach that supports long-term success without sacrificing balance or integrity. Always open to thoughtful conversations about leadership, strategy, and building sustainable systems that serve both people and purpose.
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