After more than 30 years working in underserved communities on affordable housing development including a federal appointment to implement the court's order to desegregate the City of Yonkers, Karen Hill was asked to protect and preserve Harriet Tubman's legacy and 32 acre property in Auburn, New York. As President and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc., Ms. Hill has led the effort to preserve Ms. Tubman's homestead. She successfully pursued federal legislation to have Harriet Tubman's homestead become one of the newest units of the National Park Service. The Harriet Tubman National Historical Park has the only extant resources related to the life and work of Harriet Tubman. A skilled negotiator, a seasoned construction and mortgage finance expert, Ms. Hill was called to ensure that generations, yet unborn, have the benefit of knowing the "Moses of Her People", Harriet Tubman.
Ms. Hill was appointed by Senator Charles E. Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission. Prior to her Tubman experience, Ms. Hill was a program director for the National Urban League, Chief Executive of the Affordable Housing Implementation Office and Chief Executive of the American Homeowner Education & Counseling Institute. Ms. Hill also chaired the Nation Low Income Housing Coalition, the nation's largest advocacy and low income and affordable housing provider membership organization.
Ms. Hill is a graduate of Simmons College. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Order of the Eastern Stars, Prince Hall Affiliation, The Links, Inc. and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
