An innovative and entrepreneurial leader, Kari Saratovsky has spent her career working in both the government and nonprofit sectors building strategic alliances, directing programs and facilitating national efforts that advance social change. Her favorite role however, is that of connector -- connecting passionate people, good ideas and new approaches to create meaningful impact. As Principal of KDS Strategies, Kari provides solutions to national and local organizations with a focus on innovative program design, strategic communications, and social media strategy development with a unique understanding of next generation engagement.

Prior to establishing KDS Strategies, Kari served as Vice President of Social Innovation at the Case Foundation. As a member of the Foundation's senior leadership, Kari helped set the programmatic direction of the Foundation and managed cross-sector partnerships that helped strengthen civic engagement and leverage technology to accelerate new approaches to giving and philanthropy. Kari also served as publisher of the highly regarded Social Citizens blog, and writes and speaks extensively on the rising generation of Millennials and how they are changing the nature of nonprofits and institutions.

Kari also was Executive Director of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, a presidential commission to support and expand volunteer service throughout the country and around the world.

Kari is an avid volunteer and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Mobilize.org <http://www.mobilize.org/> , is on the board of Repair the World <http://www.werepair.org/> and an advisor to the new start-up, Fuse Corps <http://fusecorps.org/> . Having grown up in the Midwest and spending time on both coasts, she now resides with her family in Houston, TX.