Karen Collins
Karen holds a B.A. degree in Psychology and Afro- American studies from Indiana University and a Master of Ministry degree in Biblical Counseling from Covington Theological Seminary.
Formerly, Karen served as the Executive Pastor of New Birth Knoxville and the Executive Director of the Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition where she served and continues to serve on various boards and committees throughout Southeast TN.
Karen is also a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and a recipient of the Unbought and Unbossed Award from Girls Inc. She has also chaired the Ethics Committee for the Chattanooga Chapter of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
As a Diversity, Equity and Inclusionary professional, volunteering in the Chattanooga community and serving in two appointments as the Director of Multicultural Affairs and the Director of Supplier Diversity, Karen sees herself as a Servant Leader, a Community Advocate, and a Bridge builder in the community, connecting people to resources by “Reimagining” collaborations to resolve barriers in the community.
Her goal is to operate in roles that utilizes her creative problem solving and critical thinking skills; while fostering opportunities for her to work in the community by applying her extensive knowledge of community engagement, program design and implementation, advocacy, strategic planning and grant writing and research.