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About New HopeNew Hope Benefits started in 2016 and founded on the idea that small businesses deserve more than a transactional interaction with their insurance broker. We see ourselves as an “extension of staff” for the companies we support, and bring to the table a level of proactive service that allows us to personally know each employee within an organization.
Prior to New Hope’s formation, our background includes 20+ years of HR/Benefits Administration experience, 10 years in direct sales & marketing, along with 10 years working in small and large brokerages. Karen, our founder, left the “corporate brokerage world” because she was finding herself restricted by management from providing the level of customer service she believed in. Many of her clients were forced into a call center because of size and revenue generation. The sunbeams in our logo are a representation of HOPE that comes from our strong belief that God will provide and sustain us each year as we continue to grow. |
Our Team
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Karen Hudgins, REBC
Principal 
Karen grew up in New England and earned her Bachelor of Arts from Plymouth State College. Started her career in Human Resources (HR) Management as an HR Generalist and relocated to Northern Virginia in 1998 where she continued to work in HR field in both the public and government contracting sectors. She then moved to Midlothian, Virginia in 2004 where she worked in sales, account management, and employee benefits . With a huge step of faith, Karen walked away from corporate America to start New Hope in 2016. Karen is a member of National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), and served as the state and regional Board of Directors Secretary in 2019-2020 term. She earned the designation of a Registered Employee Benefits Consultant in 2019 through NAHU.
Karen has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 20 years and they have two children. Karen is heavily involved in their church and her family has a passion for serving others. Karen ventured to Honduras in 2013, 2014 & 2019; Jeff has served in Haiti in 2016 & 2017 where they supported various missionaries in poverty stricken areas. Their family also volunteers annually with Lighthouse Family Retreats serving families living through childhood cancer. In her spare time, Karen enjoys reading, playing golf, and looks for every opportunity to be a “weird embarrassing annoying Mom." |
Brandon Bolton
Agency Development Manager 
Brandon joined New Hope in January 2022 as our Agency Development Manager.
Brandon is a US Navy Veteran and graduated from Benedictine College Preparatory in 2002. After serving the military, he started his sales career and specializes in Supplementary Worksite Benefits in addition to Life and Long Term Care options. His primary focus with New Hope is to develop relationships with other small to mid-size businesses developing sustainable employee benefits strategies to help attract and retain the best talent available. Brandon is married and has an energetic son that keeps him on his toes! |
Jessica Griffin
Account Manager 
Jessica joined New Hope in September 2021. Her background includes multiple years of Human Resources Management along running office operations.
Looking for something different, Jessica joined the team to take on the roles of servicing our accounts and assisting with the marketing aspects of the brokerage. In her spare time, she has a love for dog rescues and crocheting. |
Syndi Carey
Enrollment Coordinator
Enrollment Coordinator
Syndi joined New Hope Benefits in October 2021 as a Sales Representative and in February of 2022 accepted the position to coordinate all our enrollment activities and databases we utilize to make New Hope 'work'!