Planned Parenthood of Maryland names Karen J. Nelson as new President & CEO

Baltimore, MD (December 21, 2015)- Planned Parenthood of Maryland (PPM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen J. Nelson to the position of President & CEO following unanimous vote by the Board of Directors.

Nelson comes to PPM from Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York (PPCWNY), where she has served as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since 2008 and has served in other capacities of Finance for the same affiliate since 1994; Finance Coordinator (1994-1998), Director of Finance and Administration (1998-2004), and Chief Operating Officer (2005-2008). PPCWNY covers 17 counties and 10 health centers including the cities of Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, NY. Along with her years of service as President and CEO of PPCWNY, Nelson is a graduate of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s “CEOs for Tomorrow” program. Under her leadership, PPCWNY saw a broad expansion of patient service, education outreach, fundraising capacity and advocacy efforts.

"The board focused its search on someone who would maintain the momentum of the great work PPM has already been doing. We are excited for the future and the outstanding and visionary leadership that Karen will bring to Maryland." Michelle Siri, Esq., PPM Board of Directors Chair stated.

Nelson joins PPM in an era of a rapidly changing healthcare landscape and at a critical juncture nationwide in reproductive rights and freedoms.

“It will be a privilege to work on behalf of the patients and community who rely on Planned Parenthood of Maryland for essential medical care and quality educational programming. I look forward to working side by side with the Board of Directors and staff to ensure that Planned Parenthood’s services are accessible throughout the community,” Nelson stated.

Nelson will assume her position in early March. In addition to her impressive Planned Parenthood resume, she is also a graduate of the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York’s Health Leadership Fellows program and previously served on the Hopevale Charities Board and the Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Inc. Board in Buffalo. On a personal note, she enjoys spending time in Ocean City, MD, and has a lifelong passion for reading.

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Source

Planned Parenthood of Maryland, Inc.

Published

December 21, 2015