Karen Reed, M.A., CDE

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Karen Reed, M.A., CDE is the Founder and CEO of Bridging Equity Gaps LLC, an equity, policy, advocacy, and leadership firm. Ms. Reed is a recognized leader that ushered in Virginia’s health equity movement efforts. She was instrumental in creating an agency-wide plan to introduce health equity and social determinants of health. Further, she authored and co-authored health equity strategic resources and tools and created presentations for various audiences’ government, educational, private for-profit, non—profit, faith-based, and community organizations. Ms. Reed has presented on national award-winning equity initiatives at national, statewide, and local conferences. Ms. Reed is a sought-after, highly effective consultant that provides consulting services in various settings and customizes her content to meet the requesting organization’s needs.

Ms. Reed has over 30 years of professional experience in large public health agencies. Her expertise encompasses programmatic, fiscal, and operational management duties include working with federal and state programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other CMS programs.

She is a proven leader and managed statewide health-related equity programs, resources, and staff with a track record of increased efficiencies in operations and improving public health by utilizing population health lens to frame public health improvement strategies. Her work efforts target minority and disadvantaged populations and use collaborative initiatives.

Ms. Reed received a Bachelor of Arts: Degree – Business Management/Psychology from Mary Baldwin University, Staunton, Virginia, and a Master of Arts Degree -Organizational Communication – Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. She is a Certified Diversity Executive. Ms. Reed has authored some health equity abstracts. She serves on minority health and rural related national, statewide, and local Commissions/Board of Directors.