Karen Dipnarine-Saroop Email & Phone Number

My first short fiction story, “Mohur,” was published in an anthology of short stories on “Moolah” in 2021.My second short fiction story, “Chini Bhai,” was published in an anthology of short stories, poems and essays on “Food and Drinks: Cultural Identity & Ideology” in association with York University in 2022.I am a contributor to Chintan India Foundation Blogs and have delivered academic papers on Indian Diaspora and Culture at Columbia University in the USA, Pravaasi Bharatiya Divas, and the University of the West Indies, among others.

Poughkeepsie, Ny, Usa

The Green Brain Initiative is a collaborative community-based, interfaith program that was established in 2011 to elevate the development and progress of our peoples, our cultures and our natural environment through an open, collaborative, holistic and unified approach. To this end, we have been partnering with local spiritual and community leaders, businesses, non-profit organizations and civil society to elevate the collective consciousness on critical issues to protect the health and well-being of our peoples and planet, and to advance societal progress in the Hudson Valley.

Poughkeepsie, Ny, Usa

Advanced initiatives to improve the human condition, and conserve the environment, cultural traditions, fine arts, performing arts and education through advocacy, research, education and partnership development with community leaders, corporate charitable giving partners, international bodies and non-profit organizations. Spearheaded mobilization, communications, fundraising and program development in diverse constituencies; authored grants proposals, business correspondence; formulated and managed budgets and databases.

Poughkeepsie, Ny, Usa

* Served as spokesperson and primary liaison between DCIC and its stakeholders including clergy, interfaith community, community-based non-profit partners, and local government agencies. * Worked in close partnership with the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to develop and execute the organizational mission for impactful and long term sustainability of DCIC. * Worked closely in a leadership capacity with community partners in a timely manner on critical issues (anti-semitism, race relations, re-entry for formerly-incarcerated persons, opioid crisis, poverty, gun violence, other human rights and social justice issues) and to mobilize Dutchess County in times of crisis (Interfaith Vigils after Pittsburgh massacre, Christchurch massacre, Newburgh stabbings, March For Our Lives, Interfaith Call for Compassionate Border Policies, Race Amity, etc.)* Pro-actively developed strong long-term relationships with businesses, foundations, funders and individual donors. * Spearheaded fundraising initiative that raised the highest amount of funds for DCIC through a single event in 47 years. * Authored speeches, press releases and strategic messaging for internal and external audiences. * Collaborated with the executive officers to develop the annual operating budget, fundraising and grant plans.* Developed, communicated, and implemented organizational goals and operational plans with internal and external stakeholders to nurture long-term sustainability for both congregational relationship building and engagement and community partnership and outreach. * Worked to create a more inclusive culture in which religious pluralism is socially normative by offering multivariate opportunities to gather, learn, serve, and act together across lines of faith. * Prepared agendas, reports, presentations and other high quality materials for Executive Committee and Board meetings, and drove collaborative process.* Commitment to an inclusive, team-oriented work environment.

Poughkeepsie, Ny, Usa

(Contract Position)* Lecturer to Juniors and Seniors at the School of Communication and the Arts at Marist College* Designed course syllabus; developed criteria for evaluating students; prepared and delivered lectures on topics including Public Relations, Advertising and Consumer Culture, Using Social Media for Effective Communication, and Campaigning and Opinion Change

Newburgh, Ny, Usa

Functioned as one of hospital’s official spokespersons, and a key advisor to leadership on communications issues. * Communications Strategy and Planning: Initiated and spearheaded the redefinition of the department and its functions to refocus from marketing to communications; introduced research, education, use of new media, change management communications, and a “greening health care” element in communications strategy and originated related programs. * Hospital-Physician Communications: Initiated and spearheaded development of a Physician Portal, including a social media element, to enhance hospital-physician communications; authored and implemented a Preliminary Survey to garner input from and buy-in by physicians on portal content; introduced the concept of physicians as partners rather than # 1 customers, and physician satisfaction surveys.* Crisis Communications/Emergency Management: a) Authored the hospital’s crisis communications plan. b) Spearheaded and directed strategic communications, prepared media and community advisories, functioned as SLCH’s principal communications officer and spokesperson during an emergency management exercise with Mount Saint Mary College.* Research on Patient Satisfaction: a) Initiated research on noise reduction and control, and an evaluation of SLCH’s sound environment; initiated and spearheaded Focus Group Discussions among Nursing staff to remedy patient dissatisfiers; b) Conducted new research and analysis of statistics on noise for 123 hospitals in New York State; authored and presented paper at SLCH’s Nurses Research Day Conference.* Media Relations: Authored press releases; pitched stories to media; facilitated radio interviews; assisted in facilitating the filming an episode of Daytime Emmy Award-winning “A Baby Story”; conceptualized, authored content, and spearheaded final production and implementation of an Emergency Department TV channel to provide critical care information to patients and their families.

Westchester, Ny, Usa

(Contract Position)* Direct report to the Vice-President, Taxation – The Americas and international country finance teams for one of the foremost confectionery and beverages companies in the world that is successfully managing the re-engineering of billion-dollar financial infrastructure in Europe and the Americas. * Responsible for all corporate internal communications among the taxation departments across the Americas and Europe, the effective and timely delivery of projects and initiatives, the production of operational procedures, and the continuous refinement of current methods.

Port Of Spain, Republic Of Trinidad And Tobago

* Initiated and spearheaded the Corporate Communications Unit at the Ministry; designed, implemented and evaluated strategic internal and external communications; developed related public relations action plans for the 14 units of the Ministry; authored project proposals and maintained budgets* Functioned as the key communications advisor to Ministry’s leadership, spokesperson, speechwriter and principal liaison between Ministry and local and international media* Spearheaded messaging, branding and information architecture; conducted media training and leadership coaching* Authored speeches, white papers, policy briefs and feature addresses delivered in Parliament, to a nation of 1.5 million and international audiences spanning the Caribbean, North & South America and Asia* Partnered with critical stakeholders inclusive of local government and non-governmental agencies such as United Nations Systems and European Union in areas including community development, poverty alleviation, family services, environment, drug and alcohol abuse, health, transportation, adoption issues, disabled community, education

Master Of Arts - Ma, Mass Communications

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Psychology

Accreditation In Public Relations

Activities and Societies: Member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA); 2007-present Senior Silver Anvil Awards Judge.

Emergency Management Training, Completed Ics-100Hc, Ics-200Hc, Ics-700Hc