Karen A. Sims is an experienced advancement professional skilled in fundraising and financial management, gift administration, policy creation, and staff development. She has served as a conference presenter and volunteer with CASE in varying capacities during her membership. 

Sims is a 2018 CASE Minority Advancement Institute alumna. She assisted in developing NC State University Advancement’s Diversity committee that has transformed into the current Taskforce for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (T.I.D.E.). for which she serves as the committee chair. She was awarded the NC State University Advancement’s 2020 Extraordinary Leadership Award for her work and leadership with the T.I.D.E. committee.

Karen, along with over 100 other advancement professionals, contributed to the CASE book "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Advancement: A Guide to Strengthening Engagement and Fundraising Through Inclusion" (authors Angelique S.C. Grant and Ronald J. Schiller released in 2020).  Karen serves as treasurer and a member of the executive leadership for NC State’s African American Faculty & Staff Organization (AAFSO). She serves with this group to help advocate issues concerning employment, recruitment, retention, professional advancement, equity, fairness, and the quality of life for the African American community at NC State University. She holds a bachelor's degree from DeSales University in management and marketing and a master's degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University.  Karen is the chair of the 2020 Gifts & Records Workshop: Spring Session.