Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF), one of the largest women’s funds in the world, today announced the appointment of Karen Hughes White as its new president and CEO. A dynamic, mission-driven, and results-oriented leader, White has led nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of women, girls, and children for the past 20 years.
Carrie Freeman Parsons, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair, said, “After an extensive search, Texas Women’s Foundation is excited to appoint Karen CEO. As we approach our 40th anniversary, she is the perfect combination of a strategic thinker, business-minded leader, and team builder necessary to carry out our strategies and programs to move the needle on women’s equity in Texas. She is dedicated to lifting the voices of women and has a track record of working well with staff, boards, volunteers, and donors.”
A University of Georgia graduate and member of Tri Delta sorority, White previously served as Tri Delta’s chief executive officer. During her tenure from 2014 to 2024, she increased engagement among the organization’s 250,000 collegiate and alumnae members worldwide with a focus on personal and professional development, and through initiatives centering on diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging. In 2024, Tri Delta will celebrate 25 years of partnership with St. Jude and $100 million raised in support of “Finding Cures and Saving Children” as White helped create a culture of philanthropy. Additionally, she helped grow Tri Delta’s Foundation, more than doubling its assets under management in support of scholarships and needs-based assistance for members.
Before that, White served as senior vice president of strategic partnerships for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where she doubled the impact of the St. Jude Thanks & Giving Campaign® and expanded the organization’s partnerships with premier sports leagues including the NFL and PGA. She began her nonprofit career in cause-related marketing with Susan G. Komen, where she ultimately served as the managing director of sports and sponsorships with responsibility for Komen’s Race for the Cure® and 3-Day for the Cure® signature events.
White said, “With support from donors and partners, Texas Women’s Foundation has made tremendous progress in its first 40 years, driving nearly $80 million in impact for Texas women and girls. I’m honored to work alongside the organization’s dedicated volunteers and staff to build on that progress as we work to address the unprecedented challenges women face in our state. By focusing on advocacy, research, and grant-making, we will create anequitable society in which Texas women and girls can fully participate.”
White begins her position on April 29 and will give short remarks at the Texas Women’s Foundation’s Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration event taking place at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Tickets and sponsorships are still available at https://txwfleadership.org/.
About Texas Women’s Foundation
As the Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) nears its 40th year, it is clear that now more than ever is the time to elevate Texas women. By working with women, families, and communities, they are building a stronger, more equitable Texas. TXWF raises funding from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations. These resources support more than $7.1 million in investments that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through timely research, advocacy, grants, and strategic initiatives. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested $78.9 million in women and girls. Their statewide research on issues affecting women and girls provides decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices, and programs in the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking, and leadership initiatives support solutions that help Texas women and girls thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement and has deployed 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments, and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram, or donate now
Karen Hughes White
A dynamic, mission-driven, and results-oriented leader, Karen has spent the past 20 years leading nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of women and children. With an extensive background in marketing and communications, Karen began her nonprofit career in cause-related marketing with Susan G. Komen where she ultimately served as the Managing Director of Sports and Sponsorships with responsibility for Komen’s Race for the Cure® and 3-Day for the Cure® signature events.
Building on her experience in connecting big brands with life-saving missions, Karen served as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where she doubled the impact of the St. Jude Thanks & Giving Campaign® and expanded the organization’s partnerships with corporate partners and premier sports leagues including the NFL and PGA.
A University of Georgia graduate and member of Tri Delta sorority, Karen returned “home” in 2014 to serve as Tri Delta’s Chief Executive Officer. During her tenure, Karen increased engagement among the organization’s 250,000 collegiate and alumnae members worldwide with a focus on personal and professional development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging. She also helped create a culture of philanthropy among Tri Delta’s members. In 2024, Tri Delta will celebrate 25 years of partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will top $100 million in funds raised for the mission.
Additionally, Karen helped grow the impact of Tri Delta’s Foundation, more than doubling its assets under management in support of scholarships, educational grants, and needs-based assistance for Tri Delta’s members along with grants to enhance the organization’s educational programs. She also led the significant growth of the Tri Delta’s housing arm through strategic capital investments and acquisitions.
As the single mother of three young adults, Mary Patrick (29), Will (25), and Tee (23), Karen’s passion for women and children runs deeply. To her core, she believes that strong women, indeed create a better world. When she’s not advocating for Texas women and girls, she enjoys playing pickleball, practicing Pilates, or walking her rescue dog, Murdock.
