Karima currently serves as the Director of Business Development and Strategy at DMPED, where she is responsible for attracting new businesses to the District, retaining existing businesses and promoting entrepreneurship. Prior to holding this position, Karima served as Deputy Director of Business Development, International Business Manager, and Senior Business Development Specialist, where she successfully developed and launched the District’s HUBDC initiative, a partnership between the District of Columbia, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and federal government agencies awarding contracts through the SBA's Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program.

Karima has over 18 years of experience in public-private partnership development, economic and community development. Prior to joining the District, Karima served as Director of the D.C. Neighborhood College at the GWU Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, and held various leadership roles at DC Agenda and the Public Education Network.

Karima completed her MBA at George Washington University and BA in law and society at the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1997.

Karima resides in Ward 7 with her husband and two daughters.

Black Executives, Black Heritage, Black History Month, African-American Women, Business, Business Growth, Business Ethics, Business Communications, Leadership, Female Leadership, Thought Leadership, Consulting,