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Karen O'Brien

Karen joined the Trust in March 2020 as the COVID pandemic became evident and we went into the first national lockdown.

After working in the hospitality trade in sales roles, she commenced her 15+ year Human Resources career in the NHS across community services, mental health services, dental services, acute services and primary care, latterly being the Deputy Director of Workforce at Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Karen is proud to be from the North East, having grown up in Shildon in County Durham, and therefore feels privileged to be able to work for NEAS, covering the breadth and diversity of the North East.

She has a keen passion for supporting people holistically, both in employment and more widely, with a particular focus on supporting elderly people and those with dementia in the community, having supported her grandma until the age of 94 years.