After a thorough nationwide search, it is with great enthusiasm that we announce the appointment of Karen D. Woodard as the new Executive Director of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and the National Institute for Workers’ Rights (NIWR), NELA’s charitable public interest organization, effective October 13. Selected by a unanimous vote of both Boards, Karen will lead our organizations toward our shared vision of a future in which all workers are treated with dignity and respect; workplaces are equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible; and the well-being of workers is a priority in business practices.
Karen brings more than 25 years of experience enforcing the nation’s employment and civil rights laws. For over two decades at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), she served in the Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section (ELS), ultimately leading it as Section Chief. She supervised a diverse team of 50 legal professionals investigating and litigating complex employment discrimination cases. During her tenure as Chief, the Section brought cutting-edge cases advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the wake of Bostock, promoting pay equity, and challenging race and sex discrimination and harassment at both the systemic and individual levels. Under Karen’s leadership, ELS launched its first Outreach Committee, which established meaningful collaborations with plaintiff-side and workers’ rights organizations.
Karen is a proven leader with a collaborative spirit and a deep commitment to making sure every voice is heard. At the DOJ, she helped create ELS’ Employee Advisory Council to give staff a meaningful role in shaping office operations and policy, and she championed practices to ensure every member of her team was treated equitably.
Beyond her work at the DOJ, she serves as Vice President of Development on the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Alumni Association Board of Directors and previously served as Executive Director of the Coalition for Stronger Communities. Karen earned her law degree from Duke University School of Law and is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bars.
In the coming months, Karen will be reaching out to members, Affiliates, coalition partners, and other supporters to introduce herself and to hear about the issues that matter most to you. Please join us in welcoming her to the NELA and NIWR community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Executive Transition Committee for leading the nationwide search, and to the Boards and staff for their input and participation. We would also like to give special thanks to Karen Maoki for serving as Interim Executive Director, and to our staff, who have kept our work moving forward throughout this transition.
NELA and NIWR are fully committed to Karen’s success as she leads us into our next chapter. With Karen guiding us, we look forward to expanding and strengthening our community as we empower NELA members and advance workers’ rights.
