Karen S. Days

Karen’s consulting firm, K.S.D. Consulting, LLC., provides leadership coaching, new leadership development, and conflict resolution training. All with an emphasis on advancing diversity and inclusion (specifically, gender, race, and sexual orientation). Karen served in several roles at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) for over 22 years.

In her most recent position as Vice President for Corporate and Community Health Relations at NCH, Karen was responsible for developing and supporting the delivery of corporate and community wellness, prevention, and education efforts. Karen has spoken nationally and internationally on family violence prevention and treatment, and she continues to provide consulting and support to other cities/institutions seeking to initiate and develop similar infrastructure.

Beginning in 1998, Karen served as the first President of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence (CCAFV), with a commitment to creating a community culture that does not tolerate family violence. A strong board of Trustees and the steadfast support of the Coalition’s founder, Abigail Wexner, enabled CCAFV to mobilize community resources by raising community awareness; supporting new initiatives and intervention; and increasing and enhancing community education.

In 2012, Karen led a merger of CCAFV with The Center for Family Safety and Healing (TCFSH) and was named President of the organization. Karen immediately initiated a rigorous strategic planning process that shaped the impactful work of TCFSH and utilized available resources to address the many short-and long-term effects of family violence, both locally and globally. Karen led a multidisciplinary team of experts to provide the personalized care that each client needed, while working to eliminate the damage that these heinous acts cost society. Karen served in this position until May 2018.

Professional Background

Prior to CCAFV and TCFSH, Karen spent 10 years working in the criminal justice field. This included positions as a fellow at the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Services of Ohio; Night and Weekend Director, Columbus City Prosecutor’s Office; Crime Prevention Specialist for the Alliance for Cooperative Justice; Chief of the Grants Section of the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Services of Ohio; and Director of Safety at United Way of Central Ohio.

A graduate of The Ohio State University in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology/criminal justice, Karen also earned an MBA from Ohio Dominican University in April 2009.

Karen is certified by the National Association of Certified Mediators as a National Professional Certified Mediator as well as a National Professional Certified Mediator Trainer. Karen also received a Marketing Certificate from Harvard University on the subject of Growth Strategies: Identifying Opportunities in Market Trends.

Serving the Community

Current

  • Columbus Parent Magazine Advisory Board
  • Family Connects International, at Duke University
  • Franklin County Children Services
  • KIPP Columbus Foundation
  • The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Diversity Council Advisory Council

Past

  • State of Ohio Attorney General’s Victim Assistance Act Advisory Board
  • Mount Carmel Hospital Foundation Board
  • Ohio Domestic Violence Network Board
  • Ohio Dominican University Board
  • United Way of Central Ohio Board
  • YWCA Columbus Board
  • Columbus Board of Health (Vice President 2013-2014; President 2016-2017)
  • Columbus Police Foundation Board founding member
  • Center for Healthy Families President’s Panel
  • Short Stop Teen Drop-in Center of Directions for Youth and Families volunteer
  • Salesian Boys and Girls Club mentor
  • Columbus Division of Police Chief Candidates interviews and recommendation

Awards

Named one of Sunny 95 radio station’s 20 Outstanding Women in Central Ohio in 2017.

Honored with the YWCA’s Women of Achievement Award in 2009.

Received the Karama Community Leadership Award from the Columbus Urban League in 2001.

A native of Columbus, Karen grew up in South and North Linden and currently resides in Johnstown, Ohio.