Dr. Karen Meshad Baldwin has 19 years of experience in all aspects of fundraising. She was previously vice president for advancement at The University of Alabama, where she led the development division, which included major giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation giving, the annual fund, alumni relations, integrated marketing and communications and advancement services. 

As a member of UA’s President’s Executive Council, Karen was a trusted advisor to senior leadership on issues with significant and far-reaching institutional implications, managed a budget of over $8 million and led a division with more than 130 employees. Prior to that, Karen served as the university’s associate vice president for advancement for four years and director of external affairs and development for the UA College of Engineering for 10 years.

Before joining The University of Alabama, Karen spent 13 years with BellSouth Advertising & Publishing Corporation, where she was responsible for strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, process innovation and marketing. 

Karen has served as president of the Birmingham, Alabama, chapter of the American Marketing Association and chair of Leadership Tuscaloosa. As a Rotarian, she is a past assistant district governor, past president of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and a current member of the Rotary Club of Athens, Georgia. She is currently on the Georgia Women of Achievement Board of Trustees and officer with the University Woman’s Club. She is also involved with many other charitable organizations.

During her time at BellSouth, Karen was twice selected to the President’s Club — the top 3 percent of the corporation’s 3,000 employees.

Karen holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in American studies and a doctorate in higher education administration from The University of Alabama.