The Founder and President of Knock on Wood Communications + Events is a respected media relations and event management professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience in hospitality, entertainment and event marketing, concept development and project coordination.

Karen is has a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Ryerson Polytechnical University and began her career in hotel sales and marketing at Toronto’s Royal York Hotel and The Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver.

Karen launched Knock on Wood Communications in 1997 and her professional reputation earned her a spot as one of five finalists for the Women’s Business Network Business Woman of the Year (March 2004); a Forty under 40 accolade from Ottawa Business Journal and profiles in the Ottawa Citizen; Ottawa Life Magazine, Ottawa Magazine, Where- Ottawa, Ottawa Sun, and Capital Style Magazine. Karen is regularly contacted by local media for informed commentary on Ottawa's hospitality and entertainment landscapes and was invited to participate in the Prime Minister's Task Force on Women Entrepreneurs in 2003. She is also on the Board of Directors of the The Snowsuit Fund and Co-Chair of that organizations’ Gala Committee.

Karen maintains oversight on every Knock on Wood project and lends her knowledge and expertise to developing unique strategies and tactics for each client. Armed with her vast network of contacts and specialized experience, Karen works behind the scenes with her team to provide overall communications planning, advertising strategy, media strategy, creative concept and promotional development.