Karlene Maharaj, preferred name Kay, is a seasoned operations and development leader with more than 20 years of experience strengthening nonprofit organizations through strategic infrastructure, fundraising systems, and executive support. She brings a disciplined, results-oriented approach to building the operational backbone that enables mission-driven organizations to scale, sustain growth, and deliver measurable impact.

Karlene has partnered extensively with C-suite executives and boards to optimize development operations, implement enterprise-level CRM platforms, and strengthen donor engagement strategies. In this capacity, she has helped organizations enhance donor confidence and executive decision-making by building reporting and governance structures that support sustainable fundraising growth, operational accountability, and cross-functional alignment. Known for her ability to translate strategy into execution, she excels at bringing people, processes, and systems together around organizational goals.

Deeply committed to educational access and equity, Karlene is proud to support Path to College’s mission of expanding opportunity for high-achieving students from underserved communities and helping them achieve debt-free college success.