Karen Kollins is the Executive Director of the Shalom Hartman Institute of Canada (SHIC). In this role, she provides strategic leadership for the organization’s work across Canada through educational programming, community engagement, partnership development, and philanthropy.

For more than 25 years, Karen has dedicated her career to Jewish education, leadership development, and community building. Prior to joining SHIC, she spent over two decades at URJ Camp George, where she served as Associate Director and helped create a transformative, inclusive, and caring community for campers, staff, and families. Earlier in her career, Karen worked as a classroom teacher and continues to be deeply engaged as an educator, facilitator, and mentor.

Karen is passionate about strengthening Jewish life in Canada by creating spaces for learning, engagement, and conversation across diverse perspectives and experiences.

Karen holds a B.A. in History and Religious Studies from McGill University and both a B.Ed. and M.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto. She is also an alumna of the Institute for Informal Jewish Education Professional Leadership Seminar at Brandeis University.

Karen lives in Toronto with her husband, Daniel, and their two teenage children. She is actively involved in leadership and volunteer roles throughout the community.