LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Karen J. Nelson for 21 years of
distinguished service as President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of
Central and Western New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have devoted
themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their community
and the needs of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Karen J. Nelson for 21 years of distinguished service as President and
CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York; and
WHEREAS, Karen J. Nelson earned her bachelor's degree from the Univer-
sity of Maryland in College Park, and is a graduate of the Health Foun-
dation of Western and Central New York's Health Leadership Fellows
program; she also went on to obtain her Master's degree in Business
Administration from Medaille College, Buffalo, New York; and
WHEREAS, Since 2008, Karen J. Nelson has served as both President and
CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York (PPCWNY),
covering 17 counties and 10 health centers in Buffalo, Niagara Falls,
Rochester and Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, Karen J. Nelson began her rewarding career with PPCWNY in
1994, serving as Finance Coordinator for four years; she was then
promoted to the title of Director of Finance and Administration in 1998,
and then Chief Operating Officer in 2005, a position she held until
2008; and
WHEREAS, Karen J. Nelson is also a graduate of the Planned Parenthood
Federation of America's CEO's for Tomorrow program; and
WHEREAS, Under her luminous leadership, PPCWNY saw a broad expansion
of patient service, education outreach, fundraising capacity and advoca-
cy efforts; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her invaluable service at Planned Parenthood
of Central and Western New York, Karen J. Nelson has served on various
Boards of Directors including Family Planning Advocates of New York
State and Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York State, and has held
the position of Treasurer of the Planned Parenthood Affiliates Chief
Executive Council; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this remarkable woman participated on the Boards
of Directors for Cazenovia Recovery Systems, Inc. which provides resi-
dential services to adults at risk for homelessness and beginning
substance abuse and addiction recovery, as well as offering support for
mental health disorders, and Hopevale Charities, a school program which
services abused, delinquent, troubled and dependent children and teens
with education, and mental health services; and
WHEREAS, Throughout her illustrious career, Karen J. Nelson served
Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York with intelligence and
caring dedication, continuously striving to effectively fulfill the
duties of her position; and
WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with whom
she worked, Karen J. Nelson will be remembered for her honesty, integri-
ty, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of human prob-
lems in her official acts; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Karen J. Nelson has displayed
throughout her professional career; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Karen J. Nelson for 21 years of distinguished service as Presi-

dent and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, and
to wish her continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karen J. Nelson.