Karina Barreto

About Karina Barreto

Karina Barreto is a strategic and people-centered executive with nearly three decades of experience across strategy, operations, and inclusive leadership. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Conexión, where she partners with the CEO and leadership team to lead strategy implementation, strengthen organizational systems, and support the organization’s continued growth and long-term impact for the betterment of society. Karina’s career spans both corporate and nonprofit environments, including leadership roles at MIT, EMC/Dell, Parexel, and Converse/Nike, where she led diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy and implementation for over two decades. Her cross-functional expertise enables her to align strategy, operations, culture, and people to build organizations that are both effective and mission-driven. Through her consulting practice, Munay Inspiration, Karina has partnered with mission-driven organizations to lead strategic initiatives, strengthen operational infrastructure, and design revenue and partnership strategies. Her work has included advising Conexión on its Make Your Mark fundraising strategy and supporting the Veronica Robles Cultural Center (VROCC) in building and scaling its fundraising and partnerships function, strengthening operations, and advancing key growth initiatives. Most recently, Karina served as Director of Corporate Development and Partnerships at VROCC, where she launched and scaled the organization’s fundraising and sponsorship function, strengthened operational infrastructure, deepened corporate and civic partnerships, and supported leadership alignment in service of its mission to promote Latin American arts and culture as an engine for stronger communities and economic growth. Karina holds a High Technology MBA and a degree in International Business and Finance from Northeastern University. She is a certified GE Six Sigma Black Belt and a Gender Intelligence Professional with Distinction, and a graduate of the GE Financial Management Program, Conexión’s Mid-Career Program, and The Partnership Fellows Program. Raised across Brazil, Argentina, and the United States, and of Peruvian heritage, Karina brings a multicultural and multilingual perspective (English, Spanish, and Portuguese) to her work. She is deeply committed to building environments where individuals and organizations can thrive—grounded in purpose, connection, and impact.

Experience

1. Chief Operating Officer

   Conexion

   Mar 2026 — Present

   Serve as a strategic and operational partner to the CEO and a key member of the leadership team, leading strategy implementation and organizational change to support Conexión’s mission and long-term growth. Oversee internal functions including people, finance, operations, and infrastructure, while strengthening systems, processes, and organizational effectiveness to help scale impact.

Education

• D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University

  MBA, Business

  2003 — 2005

• Northeastern University

  BS in Business Administration, Finance and International Business

  1989 — 1994

• Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt

  High School Certificate - Lima, Peru

  1986 — 1987

• Asociacion Escuelas Lincoln

  High School Certificate - Bs. As., Argentina

  1986