Karen Benson
Vice President, People and Culture
Karen Benson joined FIDF in 2023 as the Vice President of People and Culture. In her role, Karen implements best practices in Human Resources to positively impact staff and the organization’s culture. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion and care and creating a work environment that supports employee engagement and growth. Additionally, Karen oversees all aspects of Human Resources administration to ensure a safe and productive working environment. She is responsible for the development and implementation of talent acquisition, management, and retention strategies.
With 17 years of experience as a senior-level human resources professional, Karen has a strong background in training and development. She has successfully built exceptional workplace cultures in the education, hospitality, and insurance industries, working for some of the world’s largest and most successful companies. Prior to joining FIDF, Karen held the position of VP, Senior Director of HR at Northeast Series, a prominent privately held insurance brokerage. Before that, she served as the Executive Vice President at Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions, a renowned education provider known for its leadership in instructional innovation and online education.
Karen grew up in Northern California and attended the University of California, Los Angeles. She furthered her education by obtaining a master’s degree in clinical psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Currently, Karen resides in Manhattan with her husband.
In addition to her professional achievements, Karen is deeply passionate about the core values of Judaism, particularly unity and mutual responsibility. She believes that FIDF’s mission exemplifies these values, which further motivates her dedication to her role within the organization.
Education
- University of California, Los Angeles
- John F. Kennedy University, Master's in Clinical Psychology
Karen Benson
Vice President, People and Culture
Karen Benson joined FIDF in 2023 as the Vice President of People and Culture. In her role, Karen implements best practices in Human Resources to positively impact staff and the organization’s culture. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion and care and creating a work environment that supports employee engagement and growth. Additionally, Karen oversees all aspects of Human Resources administration to ensure a safe and productive working environment. She is responsible for the development and implementation of talent acquisition, management, and retention strategies.
With 17 years of experience as a senior-level human resources professional, Karen has a strong background in training and development. She has successfully built exceptional workplace cultures in the education, hospitality, and insurance industries, working for some of the world’s largest and most successful companies. Prior to joining FIDF, Karen held the position of VP, Senior Director of HR at Northeast Series, a prominent privately held insurance brokerage. Before that, she served as the Executive Vice President at Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions, a renowned education provider known for its leadership in instructional innovation and online education.
Karen grew up in Northern California and attended the University of California, Los Angeles. She furthered her education by obtaining a master’s degree in clinical psychology from John F. Kennedy University. Currently, Karen resides in Manhattan with her husband.
In addition to her professional achievements, Karen is deeply passionate about the core values of Judaism, particularly unity and mutual responsibility. She believes that FIDF’s mission exemplifies these values, which further motivates her dedication to her role within the organization.