KH

Karen Hicks

Director at Community Catalyst

Karen Hicks is the founder and CEO of Civix Strategy Group, a consulting firm with deep experience crafting and executing initiatives to make the world a better place. She is an internationally regarded strategist and manager, who has designed and run national and state-based campaigns that combine a winning strategy with a plan to build lasting power through leadership and skill development. Past projects include the management of large-scale consumer outreach and engagement campaign, “Covering New Hampshire,” to enroll uninsured residents in the Health Benefits Marketplace and Medicaid. The multi-channel campaign won national recognition as one of the most effective in the country. In 2008, Karen served as a senior advisor to Senator Hillary Clinton with a focus on the early nominating states. In 2004, she served as the field director for the Kerry Campaign and oversaw the campaign’s $80 million grassroots mobilization effort in the battleground states. Karen also led dozens of successful issue campaigns at the state and federal levels and has worked with many organizations to develop and execute effective initiatives to change public policy.

In addition to the numerous statewide and local political races, Karen has extensive policy experience at the state level. She served as Governor Jeanne Shaheen’s Health Policy Advisor for three years and as the director for Policy at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Karen also served as executive director of New Hampshire Citizen Action and has worked with dozens of progressive organizations to strengthen planning, advocacy, and organizing capacity.