Karen Horting, MBA '00

Karen Horting, CAE is executive director and CEO for the Society of Women Engineers, a 50,000-global-member organization founded in 1950. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. With more than 25 years of experience in association management, Horting joined SWE in March 2004, serving in a variety of roles. She was appointed to the executive director and CEO role in December 2013. Previous to her association work, she spent 10 years in the paint industry. Horting has a BS in Biology from Northern Illinois University and earned her MBA from Johns Hopkins University. In May 2008, Horting earned her Certified Association Executive credential from the CAE Commission of the American Society of Association Executives. She currently serves on the FIRST Robotics Board of Directors, the STEM Ed Coalition board of directors, and the Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board. In 2019, she received the Association Forum’s Inspiring Leader award. In 2024, she was named to Forbes 50/50 List for innovation.