Karen Howard - business owner and director  in regional Australia

Karen Howard has over 11 years experience in her own successful business, and a previous 16 years working in some of the Hunter Region’s largest publicly and privately owned organisations.  She is acknowledged as a no-nonsense Director and successful business person, with an un-yielding commitment to governance.

In 2002 Karen was elected to the Board of the Hunter Business Chamber, a large Regional-based membership organisation boasting over 1,000 members.  From 2007 until 2009 she served as the Board’s President, the first woman to hold the role in over 120 years.  During her tenure as President, Karen led the Board through a constitutional review which included significant structural change to the Board.  The adoption of a revitalised constitution occurred at a Special General Meeting held in 2008.  She remains a member-elected Director to date.

Concurrently with the Hunter Business Chamber Directorship, Karen served as a Director of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service from 2003 until 2009, and in August 2009 was invited to join the Board of GP Access as an independent Director, especially selected to significantly enhance the business skills of their Board.

In November 2009, Karen was appointed by the Hon Jodi McKay, Minister for the Hunter, to the Board of the Hunter Development Corporation, a NSW Government organisation which will help facilitate economic growth in the region consistent with the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy.

Most recently Karen has been elected to the Board of the NSW Business Chamber, an organisation representing the interests of 5,000 businesses and over 17,000 associate businesses in NSW, and passionately advocating for every one of them.

Karen was a Member of the NSW Small Business Development Corporation from 2004 until 2007, and a Director of the Nova Credit Union from 2001 until 2004.

She is a Graduate and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.