Marching Forward: Karen Dare on leadership, community and making an impact

As we continue our International Women’s Day 2025 series, we highlight leaders who embody bold progress. In this article, we celebrate Karen Dare, CEO of Communify, whose three-decade career has transformed community services across Queensland.

Karen’s journey into leadership was deeply personal.

"I had a sliding door moment in life—I was adopted, while my mother kept two of her children. That realisation made me passionate about using my opportunities to give back."

Starting in youth crisis support, Karen joined Communify in 1994, helping it grow from a small neighbourhood centre into a multi-service hub, offering housing, mental health, family support, emergency relief, and refugee assistance. In 2024, she received the Queensland Mental Health Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award—an honour she attributes to her team.

"For me, leadership is about seeing an issue and pushing relentlessly for change. The real reward is knowing we’re making a difference."

Karen has seen significant progress in gender equality over her career but acknowledges it wasn’t without effort.

"I remember going to a Rotary meeting in the 80s, being told what to wear and what to say—I was the only woman in the room. Those doors didn’t open on their own; women had to push them."

While the community services sector is female-dominated, leadership was traditionally male-led. That’s shifting, with more women stepping into executive roles.

"Historically, men were accelerated into leadership in our industry, despite women being the majority of the workforce. Now, we’re seeing female CEOs emerge, often from frontline roles, and that’s a powerful shift."

Karen also credits strong female mentors and allies for helping her navigate leadership.

"I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible women who have shared their knowledge generously. It’s no longer just about running good programs—it’s about building strong, sustainable businesses that make real impact."

For Karen, success isn’t measured in titles but in real, tangible change.

"I define success when you see an issue that needs to be addressed, and you become a bull at the gate to make sure something is done about it. You don’t give up, you keep knocking on doors, and you keep advocating until change happens."

One of her proudest achievements? Securing asylum seeker support in Queensland—the only state with dedicated funding, thanks to a coalition of partners led by Communify.

"We started small, but we knew we had to do more. We partnered with organisations like Red Cross and Multicultural Australia, formed a consortium, and took our advocacy to the government. Now, asylum seekers have structured support because we refused to give up."

Karen applies the same relentless energy to child protection, where she’s advocating for a new shared-care housing model for at-risk children.

"We’ve pushed for this for four years, and it looks like we’re finally getting funding. We don’t want to do the same old thing—we want to make real change based on what people actually need."

Karen has witnessed firsthand how technology has transformed community services, shifting from manual spreadsheets to seamless digital systems that free up staff to focus on frontline work.

"When we started, so much time was spent on admin. Now, with integrated systems, we can focus on people instead of paperwork. Technology has been a game-changer, making our services more efficient and allowing us to invest more in direct community support."

Her team at Communify is also embracing AI and automation, carefully balancing efficiency with the need for human connection.

"AI is exciting, but we have to be cautious. We work on billable hours, so optimising scheduling and efficiency is important—but we don’t want to lose the human touch. AI should be an enabler, not a replacement for care."

Karen believes in the power of collaboration, knowing that no organisation can do it alone. Whether partnering with businesses, government, or nonprofits, she sees these relationships as crucial to driving lasting impact.

"We don’t pretend to be experts in everything. That’s why we work with partners like Optus, who help us improve our systems and business operations. Partnerships allow us to focus on what we do best—helping people."

Through these collaborations, Communify has been able to expand services, improve operational efficiencies, and scale impact across Brisbane. Read more about how Optus has helped Communify enhance their mobile connectivity to their frontline services here. 

Karen never set out to be a CEO—she followed her passion, and leadership found her.

"Don’t chase the position—chase your passion. If leadership is where that passion takes you, embrace it. But the journey is what shapes you, not just the title."

Reflecting on her own path, she encourages balance.

"I worked 70-hour weeks when my kids were young. Looking back, I wish I had found a better balance. That’s why I tell young leaders—prioritise both career and family."

Her legacy? Persistence, kindness, and impact.

"I want to be remembered as someone who cared deeply and never lost sight of why I started. To women striving for change—roll up your sleeves and don’t give up. The impact you create will be worth it."