Karen Mateo

Karen Mateo was named Vice President and Director, Public Information, in January 2025. In this role, Ms. Mateo is responsible for implementing the organization’s strategic communications plan, leading communications efforts to raise the global profile of amfAR, and supporting program and resource development goals.

An accomplished communications professional with nearly three decades of experience in media relations, crisis management, brand building, and public affairs, Ms. Mateo joined amfAR from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) where she served as Chief Communications Officer since 2019. During her tenure, she helped elevate the nation’s leading professional association serving the public relations community and designed a communications structure that advanced the organization’s value among members and external stakeholders.

Ms. Mateo’s previous roles include serving as Senior Vice President at North 6th Agency, an award-winning media relations and social media agency, and Senior Vice President of Communications for CBS Radio, where she was responsible for all internal and external communications functions for the division’s 120+ radio stations and portfolio of digital media properties.

Additionally, she led media relations efforts for CBS Sports Radio, as well as supported CBS Local Digital Media. Ms. Mateo was honored as one of Radio Ink magazine’s Most Influential Women in Radio for six consecutive years.

Ms. Mateo joined CBS RADIO from CBS 2 New York where she was Director of Communications. Her responsibilities included overseeing the station’s media relations efforts and on-air talent relations, including the creation of promotional and public appearances.

Prior to her tenure at WCBS-TV, Ms. Mateo was a senior press representative for CBS Sports and the lead publicist for coverage of college basketball, including the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, college football, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, and NASCAR. She was also a contributing publicist for THE NFL ON CBS and the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.

Ms. Mateo attended UNC Charlotte and graduated from St. John’s University in 1992.  She currently resides in New York City.