Karyn Cooks

Karyn Cooks, MNLM, currently serves as the Major Gifts Officer at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, having transitioned from the role of Business Development Director at the American Heart Association, where a focus was on enhancing health equity through corporate and personal investments. Karyn has over a decade of experience in resource development and marketing at DAP Health, contributing significantly to projects supporting individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. Prior roles include consulting for integrated marketing and communications at KCMM and leading digital strategy and community engagement for Get Tested Coachella Valley. Karyn founded Boudoir Essentials, a women's wellness e-commerce platform, and directed programming for Channel One News, a Peabody Award-winning initiative. Karyn holds a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Leadership & Management from ASU Watts College and a B.S. in Communications from Indiana University Bloomington.