2026 Summit Speakers
Karen Carlson
Chief Operating Officer, Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
Karen Carlson is a mission-driven operations executive with more than 20 years of experience leading complex health and human services organizations. As Chief Operating Officer of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood), she oversees operations and information technology, building high-performing, cross-functional teams that deliver measurable, member-centered results. She also handles the strategic process by which Neighborhood responds to, and recovers from unexpected, disruptive events that might harm people, operations, or reputation. Karen is a PMP-certified leader known for applying lean management, strong governance, and automation to advance strategic goals and operational excellence.
Prior to joining Neighborhood, Karen spent 15 years at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, where she advanced from project management to Managing Director for Claims Operations, Grievance & Appeals, and Inter-plan Executive to the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association.
Karen holds a Master of Science in Administration and is PMP certified. When Karen is not engaged at work, she spends time camping with her husband David, her two girls Alyssa and Lindsay, and their two Labrador retrievers.
