HDI builds communities in rural Haiti by acting as an intermediary grantmaker, capacity builder and convener. HDI equips local leaders, organizations, and social entrepreneurs with the skills, tools and connections they need to lead community development and channels philanthropic resources to Haitian-led development efforts. HDI convenes Haitian stakeholders around civic engagement and the philanthropic community around effective development strategies through the Haiti Funders Conference series. Finally, HDI anchors partnerships and facilitates investments that catalyze development.

Karen is a Board Emeritus, having served on the board of HDI since 2018 and formerly on the board of its predecessor, the Haiti Relief and Reconstruction Fund at the Boston Foundation since 2010.