Karen Meredith

Karen Meredith serves as VP, Culture & People at Crisis Text Line, where she builds equitable, people-centered systems that help the organization and its team do their best work in service of the mission. She brings over a decade of experience leading people strategy in nonprofit and education-focused organizations, with deep expertise in organizational development, total rewards, HRIS strategy, and culture transformation.

Prior to joining Crisis Text Line, Karen was Senior Director of Total Rewards at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), where she advised the executive team on a global total rewards strategy spanning the U.S., China, Canada, and India. Before that, she served as Managing Director of Human Resources at KIPP NYC Public Charter Schools, leading HR operations including HRIS, benefits, compliance, and compensation for 1,400 employees across 18 schools. Earlier in her career, she served as Director of HR Operations at the 92nd Street Y, directing HR operations for 1,000+ employees through a period of organizational transition.

Karen also founded Meredith Pathways, an HR consulting and leadership coaching practice supporting mission-driven organizations including the Climate Democracy Initiative, Zeta Charter Schools, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in aligning people strategy with organizational goals and building inclusive, thriving cultures.

Karen holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Pace University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Allegheny College, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Karen is driven by the belief that inclusive, well-designed people systems are what allow mission-driven organizations to show up fully for the people they serve.