Karen Johnson is the Senior Director of Complex Asset Gifts at Harvard University. Karen began her career as an attorney at Ropes & Gray where she spent almost 30 years working as part of a team of legal professionals providing advice to nonprofit clients on matters ranging from tax and regulatory issues to endowment investments in alternative assets and charitable giving.
She joined Harvard Management Company in 2018 as the Director of Estates and Special Investments where she focused on the stewardship and monetization of all illiquid asset gifts to Harvard. In 2020, Karen helped transition this role to the University where she is now part of the Alumni Affairs and Development group working with gift officers and donors to secure philanthropic support for Harvard.
Active in her community, Karen served as a member of the Select Board, and she is currently serving on the boards of the Hingham Historical Society and NVNA and Hospice as well as advising the UNH Foundation Board.
