Karen Legato, MPS, MSW

Executive Director

Karen Legato, Executive Director of Health Brigade, has served 30 years in the not-for-profit sector in both direct services and administration. Her passion and leadership is shaped by working with those most vulnerable in society with the least resources. Her service background includes medical social work, administration, child and family work, education, program development, project management, facilitation, public speaking and community coalitions and partnership work. Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech, Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Prior to coming toHealth Brigade, Karen was the Director of Service Programs at Friends Association for Children, a non-profit organization that has served vulnerable children and families since the Civil War. She has also served as an organizational consultant, adjunct professor, social work field supervisor, director of medical social work services, youth minister, pastoral administrator and hospital chaplain. A person of heart with a passion for social justice, Karen is most noted for her enthusiasm and ability to seize creative opportunities to “make things happen.”

In 2016, Karen was named Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers: Virginia Chapter.
In 2018, Karen was named a Richmond Times Dispatch Person of the Year Honoree.
In 2019, Karen was named One of 16 Richmond Health Care Leaders by OurHealth Richmond Magazine.
In 2019, Karen was also commended by the Virginia General Assembly in Resolution 389.