HBA Staff Spotlight: Karina Nelson Recognized for Mission-Driven Impact

At the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA), our mission is powered by a passionate and dedicated team working tirelessly behind the scenes. Through our HBA Staff Spotlight Series, we’re celebrating the dedicated individuals who bring #HBAimpact to life. This monthly feature shines a light on the talent, heart, and purpose fueling our organization. Each spotlight offers an introduction to the powerhouse individuals who help realize the HBA’s vision, Creating Healthcare Leaders for Life. In this series, we share our staff stories, contributions, and the unique perspectives they bring to the HBA’s global community. 

This month, we are pleased to recognize Karina Nelson, Manager, Member Events and Programs. Karina joined the HBA team in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in volunteer management, event planning, and stakeholder engagement. 

Karina’s dedication to serving others has given her a deep appreciation for connecting volunteers with meaningful missions. Her passion for nonprofits began in her teenage years, inspired by her Deaf mother, who led initiatives and created spaces where none existed. This spirit of determination and advocacy has become a cornerstone of her career. 

"Karina makes her #HBAimpact through her collaboration with member leaders, facilitating event teams to plan and execute smaller local events all the way through supporting HBA's larger full days of programming, like Health Literacy Awareness Day,” said Michelle Morse, the HBA’s Senior Manager of Member Programs, “Thanks to Karina’s detailed approach and proactive support, our Member Leaders can focus on leading their events knowing they are set up for impact and success." 

Throughout her professional journey, Karina has held a variety of roles from managing volunteer teams to advocating for vulnerable populations. Before joining the HBA, she served as Volunteer Manager at the Council for Economic Education’s Invest in Girls program, where she oversaw 2,000 volunteers and developed a top-tier program that strengthened engagement across individuals and corporate partners. Since joining the HBA, Karina continues to inspire, encourage, and lead others to engage with the causes they care about.  

“Karina has been such a dynamic addition to our team, bringing a unique perspective, big ideas, and a thoughtful approach to the work we do while also providing a lot of laughs,” said Lauren Peck, the HBA’s Director of Stakeholder Engagement. “Now that she’s hit her one-year mark at the HBA, she’s really starting to step up and step out, taking the lead on large-scale projects like Health Literacy Awareness Day, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next.” 

Learn more about Karina below, in her own words: 

Q: What has working with the HBA meant to you personally or professionally? 

“Working with the HBA has been a great experience! It has connected me with inspiring people, helped me grow professionally, and given me a deeper sense of purpose in the work I do.” 

Q: What are some of your favorite HBA memories and milestones? 

“One of my favorite HBA milestones was working on International Women’s Day programming—and now leading Health Literacy Day. It’s been exciting to go from helping to leading a full day of global programming. Being part of something that reaches and empowers people across the world is truly amazing.” 

Q: Please share any interests or accomplishments outside of work you'd like to be included in your Staff Spotlight 

“Lately, I’ve been focusing on healing, rest, and rediscovering what I enjoy outside of work. It’s not flashy, but it’s meaningful.” 

Thank you, Karina, for your tireless dedication to the HBA’s global mission!