Karen Belsey

she/her/hers

What do you do?

Business Development and Operations

But what do you really do?

I wear a lot of hats at CEI: I manage CEI's building, HR, and organizational compliance matters for CEI while also playing a role in business development. When I'm not doing those things I may be writing, editing, or talking with white folks about race.

And what’s your story? As in, what makes you tick?

People, People, People! My parents were social justice activists throughout their lives and they planted the seeds of tikkun olam (repairing the world) in me. As a white jewish woman of privilege I've been looking for where and how positive social change occurs and how I can be part of that change in my lifetime. I do this work in honor of my parents and for my daughter, my chosen family, friends, folks in communities I am a part of and have yet to meet or will never meet. I couple this with a love for stories, new perspectives, honesty, and authenticity, a recognition of the grief and outrage that people hold and an ever present desire to bring care, gratitude, joy and play into this world.

What’s rewarding about working at the Center?

I love working at the Center because I get to work with people who are willing to pursue and embrace vulnerability, learning, personal accountability and regard for each person's whole self while working skillfully to make a difference in the world. I'm thrilled that I get to work at the intersection of my skills and passions, support people I love and promote work that I believe in so deeply.