Karen Clay Beatty, MSW

Executive Director of The Wilmington Ten Foundation:

Karen is a native of Wilmington, N.C.. She holds a degree in Criminal Justice, with a concentration In Social Rehabilitation, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from East Carolina University, where she specialized in School Social Work Services with Families and Children.

Karen retired in 2012 from New Hanover County Schools where she served students, families and staff for over 30 years.  She served as a lead social worker for secondary schools, as a mentor for newly hired school social workers, and served as a field supervisor for school social work interns from UNC - Wilmington, and Pembroke State University.

Karen has served on various community boards in the past. Since retirement, she spends her time volunteering in the community on various boards that serves students and families. She is a mentor with Wilmington’s Housing Authority Youthbuild participants, by way of her involvement as an advisory board member with UNC-W’s Southeastern Dropout Prevention Coalition. She is a member of D.C. Virgo’s Blue Ribbon Commission - Education Action Team, a member of New Hanover County NAACP’s Parent Council, a member of American Association of University Women(AAUW), and is currently serving as Executive Director of The Wilmington Ten Foundation for Social Justice, Inc.