Karen Finney

Karen Finney is an independent consultant working with political and corporate clients in the areas of political and communication strategy, message development, media training, crisis communications, branding, thought leadership development and public affairs. Karen brings more than 16 years of experience in national politics and campaigns ranging from the Clinton Administration to New York State, to the Democratic National Committee; as well as the public and private sectors where she worked to improve public education and lead corporate branding and business development projects for one of America’s leading children’s media companies. Karen most recently served for four years as the Spokeswoman and Director of Communications at the Democratic National Committee where she helped guide the DNC’s communications and media strategy for Howard Dean’s “50 State Strategy”, re-branding the Democratic Party, the successful 2006 Congressional elections and DNC strategy for the 2008 presidential campaign. Karen served in the Clinton White House as Deputy Press Secretary to then First Lady Hillary Clinton and as Deputy Director of Presidential Scheduling for President Clinton. Karen has also worked in a number of high-profile campaigns, including Hillary Clinton’s successful bid for the U.S. Senate as Press Secretary in 2000, and Director of Communications for Elizabeth Edwards during the Kerry/Edwards Presidential Campaign in 2004. Her corporate and public sector work included working for Scholastic Inc. and the New York City Board of Education. As Chief of Staff to the Chairman, CEO and President of Scholastic Inc. Karen led a number of corporate projects including branding campaigns, internet strategy and partnership development. As Director of Business Development and Strategy, she developed and oversaw the growth of Scholastic, Inc. into new market areas and cultivated strategic relationships with key organizations in the public and private sectors. As the chief spokesperson and Communications Director for the New York City Board of Education, Karen also managed crisis communications in the aftermath of 9/11. Karen has served on the boards of the Women's Leadership Forum Network, NY; Teach for America, NY and the Women's Vote Center. Karen is a member of the French American Foundation’s prestigious “Young Leaders” program and appears regularly on MSNBC, Fox News and CNN. A communications and media strategist for more than 15 years, Karen Finney is an accomplished consultant, media strategist and commentator. She most recently served for four years as the Director of Communications for the Democratic National Committee where she helped guide the DNC’s media strategy for the successful 2006 Congressional elections and DNC strategy for the 2008 presidential campaign. Karen has worked in a number of high-profile campaigns, serving as Director of Communications for Elizabeth Edwards during the Kerry/Edwards Presidential Campaign in 2004 and Press Secretary to Hillary Clinton’s successful bid for the Senate in 2000. Karen started her career in politics working as part of the Clinton/ Gore campaign’s national advance team. Following the campaign, Karen served in the Clinton Administration as Deputy Press Secretary to the First Lady and as Deputy Director of Presidential Scheduling for President Clinton. With a strong interest in education, Karen has also worked in both the private and public sectors to help improve public education, working for Scholastic Inc. and the New York City Board of Education. As Director of Business Development and Strategy, she developed and oversaw the growth of Scholastic, Inc. into new market areas and cultivated strategic relationships with key organizations in the public and private sectors. As the chief spokesperson for all communications for the New York City Board of Education, Karen also managed crisis communications in the aftermath of 9/11. Karen has served on the boards of the Women's Leadership Forum Network, NY; Teach for America, NY and the Women's Vote Center. Karen is also a member of the French American Foundation’s prestigious “Young Leaders” program and appears regularly on MSNBC, Fox News and CNN.