Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas (BGCD) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Karen Tan as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. She will begin the role on September 1.
Tan brings extensive nonprofit experience to BGCD. Most recently, she served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Child & Family Service, one of Hawaii’s largest nonprofits. During her eighteen-year tenure, she focused on providing family-strengthening services and spearheaded innovative partnerships, fundraising strategies, and innovative programs.
“Karen’s record and wealth of experience of serving children, paired with her extraordinary leadership, made her stand out as the right person to build upon our Club’s success and take our mission to a new level,” said Ruth Jacks, BGCD Board Chair.
Tan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Seattle Pacific University. She completed leadership development and executive coaching through Omidyar Fellows and executive leadership development through the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities Executive Leadership Institute in partnership with the University of Michigan.
“For over 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas has been a leading organization supporting the academic, health, and character development of youth, a path toward a great future,” Tan said. “I’m honored and grateful to the Board for the opportunity to lead this organization and serve the greater Dallas community. I share the Board of Directors’ vision to ensure that BGCD serves every child who needs us. With creativity, innovation, and partnership, we will accelerate the mission and transform lives.”
Her leadership contributions have earned her honors among Women Who Mean Business by Pacific Business News, 20 for the Next 20 by Hawaii Business Magazine, and Women to Watch by Hawaii Business News. She was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Advocacy by Ho’oalanapua.
Tan’s appointment comes after Charles English announced in the spring his retirement after almost 20 years leading the organization.
“As we welcome Karen, on behalf of the Board, I want to thank Charles English our admiration and appreciation for his decades-long service. The Board looks forward to working with Karen and her strong executive team, in support of the broader organization, to deliver on serving more children and making a greater impact,” Jacks said.
