Karen Brooks Hopkins is an esteemed cultural leader with invaluable insights for Australian arts leaders and managers.

Named one of the ‘50 Most Powerful Women in New York’ by Crain’s in 2014, Karen’s honours also include the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France), King Olav’s Medal (Norway), Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star (Sweden), and honorary degrees from the Pratt Institute, Long Island University, and a prestigious Doctor of Laws from Columbia University.

Under Karen’s tenure, BAM was awarded the National Medal of Arts, the USA’s highest arts honour, with President Obama presenting the award to her at the White House.

Following BAM, Karen has held a number of senior advisory positions, including inaugural Senior Fellow in Residence at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and senior advisor to and board member of the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.

As well as her business awards, Karen’s leadership has received accolades from artists including Laurie Anderson, Peter Brook, Jeremy Irons, Mark Morris, Bill T Jones, Steve Reich, Isabella Rosellini, John Turturro, and many others