Karen Novelo

Ms. Karen Novelo serves as Project Management Specialist for the Education Project at the Millennium Challenge Account–Belize (MCA-Belize). She supports the planning, coordination, and monitoring of project activities, contributing to effective implementation, accountability, and progress toward key milestones and deliverables. Her work supports initiatives aimed at improving education quality, strengthening institutional systems, and aligning technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with labour-market needs.

With over ten years of professional experience across Belize’s telecommunications, media, and banking sectors, Ms. Novelo brings a multidisciplinary background in project management, marketing, communications, strategic planning, and risk management. Her experience includes coordinating stakeholders, monitoring performance, and aligning organizational initiatives with strategic objectives and measurable results.

Prior to joining MCA-Belize, Ms. Novelo served as Senior Manager – Marketing & Project Management at Central TV & Internet Limited and The National Channel. In this role, she coordinated multidisciplinary projects, developed strategic marketing plans and proposals, and oversaw the production of television programmes, documentaries, and commercial content. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Compliance Officer at Atlantic International Bank Limited, where she gained experience in risk assessment, audit, compliance reporting, institutional risk management, and organizational development projects.

Ms. Novelo holds a Master of Science in Business Administration from Galen University and a Master’s degree in Project Management from Universidad para la Cooperación Internacional (UCI). Her professional credentials include the Certified Sustainable Project Professional (CSPP) certification, as well as qualifications in Agile Change Management, Design Thinking, and Project Management for Development. She is also bilingual in English and Spanish, supporting effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders and teams.

Drawing on her experience in project management, strategic planning, communications, and risk management, Ms. Novelo brings a collaborative, results-oriented approach to her work at MCA-Belize. She is committed to strengthening project implementation and accountability while contributing to sustainable improvements in Belize’s education and skills development systems.