Karen A. Kivelson, Advisory Board Member, is COO of Novacom, Inc., a U.S.-based commercial export company in the textile industry. Previously she was responsible for developing international markets and handling key accounts. Prior to Novacom, Ms. Kivelson served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Schaeffer USA, the Americas unit of the German diversified industrial firm The Prym Group. She also served as COO of Texcom, Inc., developing the firm into an international sales and marketing organization providing specialized supplies to the global jeans and teabag industries.

Ms. Kivelson is a member of the Mint Museum of Art Board of Directors; Board Member and Co-Chair of Charlotte Concerts 2014 Gala; active in the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and the Latin American Coalition of Charlotte; and she volunteers in the Latin community. Ms. Kivelson graduated from Brandeis University and earned a Masters of Fine Arts at Rosary College, Villa Schifanioa in Florence, Italy in 1975. She speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.