Karen Kallas does her best work when the stakes are high.

A merger is underway. A company is in crisis. People are waiting to understand what just happened and what it means for them.

In those moments, what gets said can shape what happens next.

Karen has spent her career helping leaders navigate situations like these. As a former Chief Communications Officer for OfficeMax and Office Depot, she led communications through one of the most complex integrations in retail, guiding employees, investors, and customers through a period of significant change. She has served as a spokesperson for Fortune 250 companies and advised leaders through crises, restructurings, and high-pressure situations where every word carries weight.

She’s known for her judgment. For knowing what needs to be said, what doesn’t, and when to say it. And for bringing a steady hand when things feel uncertain.

At Strategy Muse, Karen led change communications for the merger of ERB and EMA from announcement through close. As part of this work, she co-created a participatory design process that brought member organizations into shaping the new brand—building alignment not just around the message, but around what the new organization, E3n, would become.

She’s often the person leaders turn to when they’re facing uncertainty, because she knows how to forge a clear path forward and bring others along.

When not helping clients, family and friends manage life’s big decisions, you will find Karen tackling physical challenges at a bootcamp fitness gym, testament to her belief that a strong mind and a strong body is the recipe for health and happiness.

Education

• University of Northern Iowa, BA, Communications and Public Relations