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connector ∙ shift disturber ∙ intrapreneur ∙ speaker ∙ teacher ∙ elephant hunter (not real elephants) ∙ equity-seeking ∙ sweary pissed-off optimist ∙ she/her

I speak on disruption, systems, and leadership—through keynotes, panels, and workshops for conferences, corporate events, and communities.

“[Karen] is entertaining, knowledgeable and able to customize what she knows to the audience needs. She is a strong presence online and off, fully dedicated to embracing her own vulnerability and helping others realize their potential.”

— Allyson Hewitt - Senior Fellow, Social Innovation


“Karen was a vital part of the success at Explode Conference. Her tone and presence got the audience’s attention and got them fired up before our first speaker even stepped on stage.”

— Greg Smith - Founder, Explode Conference



WOMEN IN [EVERYTHING]

business, technology, leadership, life…

These talks are deeply personal. I want to help 20 year-old women find their 40 year-old voice, and encourage 40+ year-old women to embrace their power. These keynotes aren’t just for women, and they aren’t filled with meme-quality quotes and empty platitudes. They are entertaining, resonant, and filled with purposeful actions. Attendees walk away with tangible steps and insight on how to build resilience, own their value, find their voice, and show up like a true ally. 


“Karen is able to craft a story and tell it to the right people in the right way at the right time. More than that she’s able to make that story relatable and valuable — she turns ideas and experiences into actions and opportunities.”

— Sameer Vasta - Lead, Employee Experience, Ontario Digital Service


“It is truly unique to have someone speak with honesty and transparency. Karen speaks with true credibility, legitimate authority, and is as real as a person gets. When you walk away from one of Karen’s talks you are transformed, inspired, and feel like you’ve just made a new friend. If you’re goal is to engage your audience in thought-provoking dialogue, you must consider Karen for your event.”

— Donna Whitney - Women in Communications and Technology


DISRUPTION

leadership is more than a checklist

Our organizations and teams deserve leaders that are willing to go beyond stated missions, visions and values. Are you brave enough to take an unvarnished and vulnerable look at who you are as a leader? This isn’t about saving face. It’s about finding grace. 


“Karen spoke at the Remarkable Women of Business event...[she] has the rare ability to deliver a challenging personal story (one that really resonated with me) with a sharp twist of humour that keeps her audience engaged and amused in equal measure. I would not hesitate to hire her again!”

— Michael Crow - Belleville Intelligencer


“I have worked with Karen as both a colleague and a customer over the past six years and have been very impressed with her content knowledge about how to use social media to enhance the presence of thought leaders, company brands, and drive business development. She is professional, engaging, and simply fun to hang out with as she knows all the latest cool trends that we need to be aware of.”

— Don Duval - CEO, NORCAT


WORKSHOPS & LEARNING

training, trends & more

With over 20 years of experience in communications, marketing, and curriculum design for corporate and college environments, I enable entrepreneurs and established enterprises alike to communicate more strategically and authentically. 


Through tailored training sessions and trend-focused workshops, I help organizations leverage the full spectrum of digital tools—not just social media—to build compelling brands, drive meaningful engagement, and create sustainable growth. My approach combines strategic insight with practical application, guiding teams to navigate the evolving landscape of digital communication with confidence and clarity.


I've Had Something To Say

2025

CPA Ontario’s Women in Action Conference 2025

Closing Keynote 


2020

#SpeakAid2020 (Global)

Keynote + Workshop


International Women’s Day 2020 (Waterloo)

Keynote + Workshop


2019

International Women’s Day 2019 (Waterloo)

Keynote


Disrupt Yourself (Waterloo)

Workshop


Thriving Leadership

Podcast Guest


How Women’s Careers Are Disrupted

Podcast Guest


Success in the City (Hamilton)

Women in Leadership Panelist


2018

Amazon Canada (Toronto)

Inaugural Women in Tech event

Speaker + Panel


SheWorx Roundtable (Toronto)

Keynote


Marit Collective (Waterloo)

Talk the Walk Series 

Panelist


Broad Conversations Radio Show (Hamilton)

Guest

2017

Remarkable Women of Quinte (Belleville)

Keynote


Women’s Business Network (Peterborough)

Keynote


TechKW (Waterloo)

Speaker


Community Builders of Canada (Toronto)

Panelist


NORCAT (Sudbury)

Social Media for Startups

Keynote + Workshop


2016

Canadian Women in Entrepreneurship (Toronto)

Government of Canada Panelist


Rotman School of Management (Toronto)

Panelist


Full Stack Toronto [FSTO]

Closing Keynote


IWD2016: Change the Ratio (Waterloo)

Closing Keynote


Fireside Conference (Toronto)

Speaker


Year of Code Waterloo

Eureka Gala

Closing Keynote


Explode Conference (London)

Master of Ceremonies + 

Panelist Moderator


NORCAT (Sudbury)

Social & Digital Trends

Keynote + Workshop


NORCAT (Sudbury)

Startup101

Keynote + Workshop


2015

Ontario Bar Association (Toronto)

Jump on the Brand Wagon

Speaker + Panelist


FITC Women (Toronto)

Speaker


NORCAT (Sudbury)

Social Media Trends

Keynote + Workshop

2013-2014

New Business Networking Radio

You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get

Podcast Interview


Women in Communications and Technology (Toronto)

Keynote


MaRS Green Energy Hackathon (Toronto)

Host + MC


MaRS Advanced Energy Centre Launch (Toronto/Washington DC)

Host + MC


Mesh Marketing Conference (Toronto)

Panelist


Mesh Marketing Breakfast (Toronto)

Panelist


Edelman Canada (Toronto)

Real-time Marketing

Panelist


Social Media Week (Toronto)

DemoPit

Curator


Social Media Week (Toronto)

Is Canada Falling Behind in Innovation? Panel

Curator + Moderator


Tweetstock 8 (Brantford)

Speaker


Canada 3.0 (Toronto)

Women in Technology

Panelist


Podcamp Toronto

Community & Activism

Panelist


Talk Is Cheap Conference

Centenniel College

Panelist

2011-2012

Emerging Leaders (London)

Closing Keynote


PodCamp (Toronto)

Women in STEM

Panelist


Desire2Learn (Waterloo)

Mobilize Conference

Panelist


International Women’s Forum (Stratford)

Panelist


Ignite Waterloo

Speaker


Tweetstock7 (Brantford)

Panelist


Ignite Parents (Stratford)

Speaker


Ignite Stratford

Curator + Host + Speaker


Marketplace Conference (Waterloo)

Social Media Idol Winner


SHAMBA Foundation Education Seminars

How to Broaden Your Donor Base Through Social Marketing

Keynote