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Meet the Chairs
![Photo of Karen Hart](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/media/image/Hart_%20Karen%20%28December%202017%29.jpg?h=8bb6a09a&itok=5xm_NeuK)
Karen Hart
Karen has spent her entire career building relationships and, fundamentally, encouraging people to invest in the future, whether in a commercial or philanthropic environment. She joined The Open University over ten years ago following an epiphany (and a career in corporate pension consulting). Initially, she built the University’s legacy activity, from reactive administration to a proactive programme which includes direct mail, events, face to face and telethon. She went on to head the alumni fundraising team (covering annual fund, legacies and a mid-value programme) and now leads the University’s alumni engagement activity, covering both alumni fundraising and alumni relations.
![Headshot of Helen McGahon](/sites/default/files/styles/portrait/public/media/image/McGahon%2C%20Helen%202020.jpg?h=bb9a2b77&itok=cwFInxIH)
Helen McGahon
Helen drives all fundraising activity from individuals at the Royal Academy of Engineering, including mass to major gifts and legacies. She is also leading the planning and implementing of the Academy’s 50th Anniversary Campaign which will take place in 2026. Prior to joining the Academy in January 2020, Helen spent over 11 years in the Development team at King’s College London and King’s Health Partners building experience in all areas of fundraising but in particular as Head of Legacies for the university and hospital partners for 4.5 years. In this role, she worked across the Fundraising & Supporter Development function to ensure legacy giving was promoted as widely as possible to increase enquirers, pledgers and income from alumni and friends through gifts in their will.