Karp previously served as the foundation's director of health information technology and as its chief information officer.

Prior to joining CHCF, Karp served as the founder and chief executive officer of HandsNet, a national nonprofit technology intermediary. He previously directed a large community health and nutrition organization in Santa Cruz, California, where he pioneered the development of integrated service delivery systems for low-income children, families, and the elderly. Karp has been active in a variety of nonprofit organizations as well as state and national campaigns and has consulted internationally.

In May 2010, Karp was appointed co-chair of a US Department of Health and Human Services panel to develop standards to simplify eligibility determination for a range of state and federal programs, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and federal subsidies available under the Affordable Care Act. He also chairs the board of directors of California Food Policy Advocates and is a board member of Grantmakers in Health.

Karp received a bachelor's degree from Washington and Jefferson College.