Karen Spagnardi

Chief Program Officer

With over 20 years in education and 10 years at Best Foot Forward, Karen brings deep experience and dedication to her role as Chief Program Officer. Before joining the organization, she spent 15 years working in schools, supporting students and families in Title I communities. Karen is known for her ability to connect with students, listen with empathy, and apply a data-informed approach to strengthen programs. She oversees data systems and manages the organization’s CRM to ensure accuracy and meaningful tracking of student progress. Her organizational skills and compassionate leadership help programs run efficiently while keeping students at the center of every decision. Karen finds her greatest reward in seeing students reach their goals and graduate high school with confidence.