Karen Neal serves as Executive Director of the NACD Heartland Chapter, leading strategy, governance alignment, and multi-market growth across a five-state region. She partners with board leaders, market executives, and NACD National to design and deliver forward-looking programming that equips corporate directors to navigate emerging risks, technological disruption, and evolving governance expectations.

Under her leadership, the Heartland Chapter has expanded its regional programming and engagement, strengthened sponsor partnerships, and advanced a hybrid programming model that enhances access while preserving high-quality, peer-level dialogue. She developed and activated market leadership teams across the chapter’s five states and six markets, creating advanced opportunities for local engagement while maintaining regional strategic cohesion. Neal is known for aligning board governance priorities with operational execution, ensuring chapter strategy translates into measurable engagement and long-term sustainability.

Prior to joining NACD, Neal held leadership roles in nonprofit management and community engagement, including vice president of operations for Global Scholars and project manager of community engagement for the Cookingham Institute of Urban Affairs at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She also led program strategy for the KC Ad Club’s American Advertising Awards and founded a boutique event consultancy.

Neal began her career in the legal sector before transitioning into nonprofit executive leadership, where she found her passion for building systems, strengthening governance, and developing mission-driven organizations.

She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology from Park University. 

Raised in Southern California and having lived across the United States and abroad, Neal brings a broad perspective to regional leadership. She and her husband, Vince, reside in Overland Park, Kansas.