Karen Hughes is President & CEO of Vogel Alcove, a non-profit organization providing childcare and comprehensive social services for homeless children in Dallas.  Since taking the helm in January 2011, Hughes has worked to strengthen internal processes in order to best support the children and families of Vogel Alcove and expand the programs offered. These improvements included the implementation of a strategic measurement plan to measure outcomes of goals and objectives; the development of an electronic data collection system; revised “customer friendly” enrollment procedures; the implementation of an EOS operating system to track annual, quarterly, and weekly outcomes of strategic initiatives; the implementation of an intensive culture improvement program; locating and remodeling a new facility which doubled the capacity; the implementation of a board diversity program; and the expansion of the development team and implementation of a fundraising model to diversify revenue streams for the organization; and the creation of the Vogel Alcove Foundation and governing board to oversee and expand the organization’s investments. New programs that have been implemented under her leadership include a Health clinic onsite, a Mental Health program, the Parent Opportunity Center which is the focus of a new strategy of two generational programming, and a summer camp program for elementary and middle school children. New fundraising events that have been added include Day 1 Dallas a children and family fair held on New Year’s Day and the Blue Bird Bash in the fall. She is currently spearheading efforts to expand the impact of Vogel Alcove through new programming that involves collaborating with community partners, and expanding the onsite mental health programming to include a sensory lab for children.

Prior to joining Vogel Alcove, Hughes was the President & CEO at The Campagna Center, an organization which operates high-quality programs that support children in Alexandria, Virginia, by providing services that allow them to arrive at school ready to learn and ensure they are academically successful at each grade level. Hughes resume includes positions as Associate Executive Director/COO at the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Director, Child Care Services at Houston Community College.

In addition, her 41 years experience in the field of early childhood and 25 years experience in non-profit management includes teaching kindergarten in the public school system; owning and operating an early childhood center; teaching at the community college level; directing a child development lab school at a community college; and serving as an early childhood trainer and consultant. 

In addition, Karen has been actively involved with MDHA (Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance) for several years. She has served as a board member, on the Executive committee, the chair of the PRAC committee, the chair of the Children and Families committee, chair of the CEO selection team, MDHA board chair, and chair of the COC restructuring work group. She is currently serving as a member of the MDHA board and a member of the COC Selection committee and the Homeless Collaborative Board. She also serves on the COC Assembly Executive Council.

Hughes has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Kindergarten from Baylor University and a Master’s of Science degree in Educational Management from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.  She is a native Texan and resides with her husband and 15-year-old son in Allen.