WorldDenver’s Founding Executive Director Karen de Bartolomé brings significant experience in international education and program administration. As the Rocky Mountain Region’s Executive Director for the Institute of International Education (IIE), she oversaw the administration of the Fulbright and other scholarship exchange programs for the Rocky Mountain Region, as well as the Denver World Affairs Council, The Diplomats Ball, and the Department of State-funded International Visitor Leadership Program.
Prior to this role, Karen had her own consulting practice in marketing and leadership development and worked with the University of Colorado in international development. Karen served as a White House Fellow in the Reagan White House and as part of the transition team for the Clinton Administration (first term). Karen spent 14 years in a variety of managerial and executive roles at the Port Authority of NY & NJ.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the School of International Service at American University and a master of public administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Karen has served two terms on the national board of the National Council for International Visitors (now Global Ties U.S.).
She now serves as Vice Chair of the World Affairs Councils of America and holds a gubernatorial appointment to the StudyColorado Board. Karen was a finalist for the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 2016 ATHENA award, which honors the Denver woman who best exemplifies exceptional professional achievement, devotion to community service and generosity in actively assisting other women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.