Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

KAREN A. MARINER

Berlin

Summary

Dynamic executive with a proven ability to propel organizational growth through innovative leadership and strategic planning. Renowned for cultivating collaborative relationships that drive success. Specialized expertise in staff development, program management, and public policy, particularly in the realm of disability advocacy.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Vice-President, Programs & Support

01.2021 - Current
  • Doubled Employee Engagement: Boosted employee engagement scores from 45% to 90%, fostering a more committed and motivated workforce.
  • Enhanced Support Infrastructure: Spearheaded the implementation of Salesforce Service Cloud, improving service efficiency and member satisfaction.
  • Strategic Team Realignment: Restructured teams to better support organizational goals, resulting in streamlined processes and clearer objectives.
  • Budget Stewardship: Skillfully managed a $12M budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources for maximum program impact.
  • Strategic Planning Leadership: Directed the development of the Society’s Strategic Plan for 2025-2027, setting the stage for future growth and innovation.
  • Executive Leadership Contribution: As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, contributed to decision-making that shapes the organization’s vision and impact. Led an organizational redesign resulting in better collaboration and communication across functions, increased revenue and innovation strategies.
  • Global Influence: Provided strategic guidance to international MS organizations, helping enhance program offerings and strengthen organizational capacity globally.

Vice-President, MS Navigator Experience

01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Empowered a High-Performing Team: Led and inspired a team of over 116 members, enhancing cohesion and driving collective impact.
  • Enhanced Support for Those Affected by MS: Developed and implemented comprehensive support strategies, improving the quality of care and resources for individuals impacted by MS.
  • Innovative Solutions for Employee Well-Being: Launched targeted initiatives to combat burnout, resulting in improved team morale and more effective service delivery.
  • Strengthened Organizational Synergy: Fostered cross-functional collaboration and contributed strategically as a key member of the Society’s Leadership & Management Team, aligning efforts for maximum impact.

Vice-President, Advocacy

01.2017 - 01.2020
  • National Policy and Advocacy Leadership: Led policy development and advocacy initiatives at a national level, driving policy change that supports the MS community.
  • Strategic Expansion of Activism Efforts: Guided the Activism Advisory Committee in shaping impactful policy priorities, strengthening the Society’s influence on public policy.
  • Growth of Activist Programs: Created and implemented a robust Activist Engagement strategy, significantly expanding the District Activist Leader Program and enhancing the reach of Government Relations Advisory Committees.
  • Leadership of Government Relations Team: Directed and mentored a government relations team of 23+, fostering effective advocacy and policy impact.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Built strong, collaborative relationships across departments to drive coordinated strategies and amplify organizational goals.
  • Executive Influence: Contributed to Society-wide leadership as part of the Leadership and Management Team, aligning key initiatives and setting the vision for the organization.
  • Driving Innovation and Strategy: Led cross-functional work teams to develop and implement strategies centered on innovation, data, and communication for improved organizational effectiveness.
  • Guidance on Service Delivery: Served as an active member of the Services Advisory Committee, shaping approaches that enhance support for individuals with MS.

Vice-President of Advocacy, Pennsylvania & New Jersey

01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Established Engaged Government Relations Committees: Launched new, highly engaged Government Relations Committees in Pennsylvania and New Jersey within the first six months of my tenure, strengthening local advocacy efforts.
  • Legislative Success in Pennsylvania: Successfully secured 16 out of 17 co-sponsors for Specialty Tiering legislation in Pennsylvania, significantly advancing policy initiatives for the MS community.
  • Innovative Engagement with Lawmakers: Developed the "MS Lives Next Door" initiative to engage New Jersey lawmakers at MS Walk events, leading to the introduction of the state’s first MS-specific legislation, which resulted in the formation of the MS Task Force signed by Governor Christie in January 2012.
  • Enhanced Social Media Presence: Overhauled the social media outlets for PA and NJ, increasing engagement and raising awareness of MS advocacy efforts.
  • Recognized Advocacy Excellence: Secured a $10,000 prize for the advocacy achievements of the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter, highlighting the impact of grassroots efforts.
  • Strategic Legislator Engagement: Created a Legislator Engagement Tracking Tool that identified 15 potential legislative champions for MS advocacy in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, enhancing future advocacy initiatives.

Vice-President of State & Local Government Relations

01.2014 - 01.2017
  • Launched a Groundbreaking Activist Program: Developed and successfully launched the District Activist Leader Program, achieving all key outcomes and empowering grassroots activism within the community.
  • Strategic Team Building: Successfully recruited and mentored a regional government relations team, enhancing advocacy efforts and organizational capacity.
  • Innovative Advocacy Onboarding: Created the first advocacy orientation curriculum for all staff members, ensuring a comprehensive and effective onboarding experience that strengthens team competencies.
  • Pioneered Unified Policy Initiatives: Led the development and implementation of the Society’s inaugural Unified State Policy Agenda, aligning state and federal priorities to enhance advocacy effectiveness.
  • Unified Activism Committees: Successfully integrated the State and Federal Activism Committees into a cohesive, unified committee, streamlining efforts and amplifying advocacy impact.

Vice President, Client & Community Services

01.2007 - 01.2015
  • Transformative Needs Assessment: Led a comprehensive Needs Assessment Survey for the chapter, utilizing data insights to reevaluate community service needs and successfully securing grant funding to hire a full-time Employment Manager, enhancing support for job-seeking individuals.
  • Innovative Activism Campaign: Launched the "We Are Activists" campaign to recruit new activists, achieving a 5% growth in participation within six months through innovative strategies, including an interactive website, targeted email outreach, signature shirts, and legislative leave-behinds.
  • Expanded Clinical Affiliations: Increased the Society’s clinical affiliations by establishing two new Multiple Sclerosis Centers—one dedicated to providing high-quality care to underinsured populations and the other focused on delivering exceptional care in rural areas, broadening access to essential services.
  • Pioneering Care Manager Training: Developed the first Care Manager Training program for social workers and certified case managers, successfully securing professional education credits, resulting in a 50% growth in attendance in its second year.
  • Streamlined Onboarding Process: Created a formalized onboarding process for new staff that served as the model for the Society’s overall onboarding practices, ensuring consistency and enhancing employee experience.

Services Director

01.2004 - 01.2007
  • Strengthened Vendor Partnerships: Cultivated relationships with twelve new vendors through a competitive bidding process, significantly enhancing the quality of services delivered to our clients.
  • Successful Nutritional Counseling Initiative: Developed a Nutritional Counseling Program for homebound clients, securing grant funding that enabled 65 participants to access support, with 20% achieving an average weight loss of 18 pounds by program completion.
  • Transformed Budget Management: Revamped the department’s budget to create a fiscally responsible, data-driven financial plan that improved resource allocation and accountability.
  • Innovative Marketing Collaboration: Partnered with the communications department to implement a multimedia marketing strategy, resulting in a remarkable 75% growth in the therapeutic client base.

Services Manager

01.2001 - 01.2004

Social Work Intern/Teaching Assistant

Mill Creek School
01.1999 - 01.2001
  • Responsible for provision of ongoing group and individual counseling to adolescents with mental health issues. Assisted Social Work Director in running the career transition group for graduating seniors.

Program Associate

Clara Bell Duvall Education Fund
01.1995 - 01.1999
  • Analyzed state data to uncover reproductive health trends, providing valuable insights that educated and influenced policy decision-makers in Pennsylvania. Collaborated with local chapters of Medical Students for Choice to successfully integrate reproductive health care into medical school curricula, fostering a new generation of informed healthcare providers.

Education

MSS -

Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
01.2001

BA - Women’s Studies

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
01.1996

Skills

  • Organizational growth
  • Leadership experience
  • Global business expansion
  • Strategic planning and execution
  • Data-driven decision making
  • Strategic partnerships
  • Outstanding management skills
  • Innovative
  • Teamwork and collaboration

Timeline

Executive Vice-President, Programs & Support

01.2021 - Current

Vice-President, MS Navigator Experience

01.2020 - 01.2021

Vice-President, Advocacy

01.2017 - 01.2020

Vice-President of Advocacy, Pennsylvania & New Jersey

01.2015 - 01.2017

Vice-President of State & Local Government Relations

01.2014 - 01.2017

Vice President, Client & Community Services

01.2007 - 01.2015

Services Director

01.2004 - 01.2007

Services Manager

01.2001 - 01.2004

Social Work Intern/Teaching Assistant

Mill Creek School
01.1999 - 01.2001

Program Associate

Clara Bell Duvall Education Fund
01.1995 - 01.1999

BA - Women’s Studies

Temple University

MSS -

Bryn Mawr College

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