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A Rutherford County native, Karen McNeil-Miller, has been named 2020 Most Admired CEO by the Denver Business Journal in Colorado. McNeil-Miller is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Colorado Health Foundation.
"I'm honored for this recognition from the Denver Business Journal, in only its third year of offering the award," McNeil-Miller said from her office in Colorado this week. " While this is a wonderful recognition, what I value most is that my team thought enough of me to make the nomination. They did this all so stealth that the first I knew of it was when I received notification of having been selected."
In the announcement published on Oct. 14, the Denver Business Journal said the award honors leaders "who are guiding their companies through the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, and whose past success is evident in the enduring strength of the companies they lead. These 23 executives are bold, innovative leaders with the track record to prove it. Our Most Admired CEOs were built for times like these."
The announcement also said, "Karen's unwavering vision to bring health in reach for all Coloradans has guided the Foundation to be a community-informed funder who listens first, acts second and then listens again."
At the Foundation since September 2015, McNeil-Miller describes the mission as a key driving force in her life. She says, "I chose this important field of work to be on the ground in Colorado communities and to get closer to those in need - many through no fault of their own - and assist in every way I could."
In addition to her work with Colorado communities and nonprofits, McNeil-Miller is active in national and regional philanthropic and rural health organizations, including her service as board chair for the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), which leads work nationally around responsive philanthropy in communities of color.
She and the other honorees will be celebrated at a virtual ceremony on November 12.
McNeil-Miller joined the Foundation after serving for more than 10 years as the president of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, one of North Carolina's largest private foundations. Under her leadership, the Trust evolved into a strategic, impact-driven foundation with a national presence on issues ranging from rural health to access to care.
Before joining the Trust, Karen spent 16 years with the Center for Creative Leadership, an international leadership development and research nonprofit organization headquartered in Greensboro. During her tenure, Karen developed expertise in individual and organizational leadership development, succession planning, strategic thinking, team building, diversity, executive coaching and leading change and transitions.
McNeil-Miller is a graduate of R-S Central High School and received her Associate of Science Degree at Isothermal Community College before transferring to UNC-Greensboro where she received her BS in Early Childhood Education. She received her Master of Education, Cross-Categorical Special Education -- University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Doctor of Education, General Leadership at Vanderbilt University.
She is the daughter of Shirley McNeil of Forest City and the late Solomon McNeil.
