Her Story
About Karima
Karima Boyd serves as Executive Director for a nonprofit organization based in Westfield, New Jersey. In this role for approximately seven years, she oversees residential programs that provide community-based support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Boyd brings 37 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having started as direct care staff and progressed through positions as assistant supervisor of a group home, various management roles, assistant director, senior director, and ultimately executive director. Her educational background includes an associate's degree in Human and Social Services along with a bachelor's and master's degree in social work. She also holds a certificate from the Leadership Academy through Duke University. Boyd is actively involved in community initiatives, including organizing the annual Cutest Chase Race 5K in Union County to promote awareness and community placement for the IDD population. She attributes her success to the grounding and positive outlook instilled by her parents and values integrity, honesty, communication, awareness, and genuineness in both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karima
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my parents. They kept me grounded and focused on what's right opposed to what's wrong. They taught me that we're humans and humans make mistakes, but we always need to see the good opposed to looking at the bad, and just stay positive.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would always say to never compromise your integrity, always have an understanding of where you're going. And just because it doesn't take effect today doesn't mean that you can't regroup and go for tomorrow. There's always another day. Make it work for you and to get better. It's always about experience, understanding and just having that openness and that willingness to learn from someone else. Absorb advice and mold it structural for you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are staffing and ensuring enough staff to provide services, along with financials since it's not a field where you become a millionaire - it's a caring field like medical and human services. The opportunities are vast because there are a lot of community placements in development and individuals being deinstitutionalized to be out in the community. It's a growing field with lots of growth opportunities to soar and move into upper management.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, honesty, communication, awareness, and having a form of being genuine with a genuine outlook of life.
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