A Conversation with Our Board President, Karen Wright

We sat down and had a conversation with our Board President, Karen Wright, and discussed her passion for being a leader at Advokids and for child advocacy statewide. Karen has been involved with Advokids for 15 years in different capacities. 

 

What personal values or experiences drew you to this organization’s mission above all others?

My connection to Advokids is deeply personal. As a mother of three and a grandmother of five, I have been blessed to watch children grow in environments filled with love, stability, and encouragement. I have seen how that foundation shapes a child’s confidence, their sense of security, and ultimately, who they become in the world.

It is impossible for me not to think about the children Advokids serves and recognize how many of them are growing up without that same sense of safety or someone consistently standing in their corner. The idea that a child could navigate the foster care system without a strong, informed advocate is heartbreaking.

Every child deserves to feel protected, to be heard, and to know they matter. That belief is what draws me to this work. Advokids ensures that even in the most difficult circumstances, there is someone fighting for each child’s well-being and future.

For me, this is not just a cause, it is a responsibility. It is about helping create the conditions where every child has the chance to grow up feeling secure, valued, and capable of becoming a positive force in their community.

 

What is the single most important goal you hope the Board achieves during your first year as President?

Our most critical priority is to secure the long-term sustainability and expansion of Advokids’ core services—particularly the free legal helpline, which serves as a lifeline for children and those advocating on their behalf.

In the coming year, the Board will focus on strengthening our financial foundation so that we can scale our impact thoughtfully and responsibly. This includes deepening our donor base, increasing visibility among aligned partners, enhanced education with our collaborators and ensuring that our infrastructure supports both statewide growth impact and excellence.  Advokids is seeking strategic, engaged board members to help guide  and enhance this next phase of growth, with expertise across key disciplines.

Equally important is expanding our volunteer community. Volunteers are essential to our mission as they extend our reach and ensure more children receive the advocacy they deserve. We are not a complete team without them, and we look forward to working with and developing this important part of our team.

At its core, this goal is about continuity and reach, making certain that every call for help is answered, and that no child falls through the cracks due to lack of access to informed advocacy.

 

What do you see as our organization’s greatest strength, and how do you plan to build on it?

Advokids’ greatest strength is its credibility earned through decades of expert legal advocacy, thoughtful policy work, extensive historical  and current case data which highlights needed systemic changes, and an uncompromising commitment to children’s rights.

We are trusted because we are both knowledgeable and independent. That combination allows us to act not only as advocates for individual children, but also as a respected voice addressing systemic failures.

My role as President is to protect and amplify that strength. We will continue to invest in the expertise of our team while expanding awareness and knowledge of our impact. By elevating our visibility among donors, policymakers, and the broader community, we can extend the reach of our trusted voice and ensure that our influence matches the urgency of the need.

 

For those just joining our journey, why is now the most critical time to support this work?

There has never been a more important moment to stand behind children in the foster care system.

Across California, increasing complexity within child welfare systems, combined with resource constraints, means that too many children are at risk of being overlooked. When that happens, the consequences are profound and lasting.

Advokids provides something rare and essential: immediate access to expert legal guidance and a vigilant, independent presence that holds systems accountable. But this work depends entirely on the strength of our support community.

Supporting Advokids today is not simply a charitable act, it is an investment in accountability, in justice, and in the fundamental belief that every child deserves to be safe, heard, and protected.  When the need is this urgent and the impact this real, it becomes clear – this is work that simply cannot be turned away from.