A seasoned media, community engagement, and corporate events professional, Karen Nelson-Hughes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The City College of New York.

Hughes, who is also a Graduate Fellow of the prestigious Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida, played a prominent role in New York’s burgeoning media community prior to moving to the U.S. Virgin Islands with her family 20 years ago as an integral part of the New York Daily News team, where she served as Editorial Director for the newspaper’s Multicultural Markets Division.

Hughes, who was born and raised in London, England, has also served as the Editor of Tradewinds House and Home Magazine, and as the Director of Corporate and Community Events, for St. Thomas-based, International Capital and Management Company (a subsidiary company of Cancer Treatment Centers of America), where she was charged with directing the company’s charitable contributions strategy, as well as an extensive array of corporate and community engagement events that included executive retreats, corporate meetings, youth programs, community events, cancer fundraising initiatives, projects, and programs.

Prior to joining the HHW team, Hughes served as the Director of Major Gifts for The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), where she played a key role in re-engaging the University’s vast alumni network, as well as leading the charge for key marketing and public relations initiatives. 

Hughes currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband Kevin, and their sons, Kevin II and Kaden Alexander.