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Karen Starns

Chief Executive OfficerHouseful

Austin, TX

Member Since August 2022

Skills

Executive Leadership
Marketing Strategy
Innovation & Growth

About

Karen Starns is CEO of Houseful, acquired in 2023 by Royal Bank of Canada. She was previously Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at OJO Labs. Karen's outstanding track record of building global brands, driving growth, and solving complex business challenges has been shaped by two leadership stints at Amazon, 13 years at Microsoft, and a global leadership role at Pearson. Karen is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, a lecturer in the McCombs School of Business Master of Science in Marketing program, and Chair of the Advisory Council for the Master of Science in Marketing program. A brand marketer at heart, Karen is skilled at building brands that people love and can’t live without. At OJO Labs she focused on deepening audience understanding and empathy, leading consumer engagement, and establishing OJO as a brand of choice for homeownership - one of life's most complex and consequential decisions. Karen is an active mentor of women and up-and-coming leaders, including the CEOs of two social enterprises — Cielo Hammocks in Mexico and Sosai Renewable Energies in Nigeria.

Published content

20 tips to boost productivity with AI while managing its risks

expert panel

Start with internal pilot projects and develop robust measurement systems to get the most out of AI while mitigating risks. Many companies are using AI to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, because this technology is still evolving, it can create disruptions in your organization's culture and workflow if not used effectively. Below, members of Fast Company Executive Board share their tips for using AI to increase growth while managing the potential risks involved. With a well-planned approach that focuses on organizational goals and measurements for success, your company can leverage AI sustainably to support your team.

Thinking about an adjunct teaching position? 16 factors to consider

expert panel

With the right structure, sharing business knowledge in the classroom can benefit seasoned working professionals and their students. Here's how to stay organized and energized while mentoring the next generation. If you are a business leader who is extremely passionate about your 9 to 5 duties, you may want to consider using your positive influence to encourage future professionals through an adjunct professorship role.  One of the biggest challenges—whether teaching in person or online—is how to avoid burnout from working all day and teaching after hours. But when it comes to managing work responsibilities and personal lifestyle, the experts from Fast Company Executive Board have got you covered and know how to strike the right balance. Here are 16 tips to make the experience less stressful and more rewarding.  

15 ways to stand up and out on the issues your brand is backing

expert panel

Transparency paired with a consistent message on your company vision and values goes a long way in building brand awareness and trust. When it comes to building community and laying the foundation for creating long-term customer and stakeholder relationships that you can count on, it's important to let people know where you stand on current issues to maintain genuine transparency and real authenticity. Below, 15 experts of Fast Company Executive Board each share one factor for leaders to consider if they want their brand to become known for its community activism—beyond the products and services it provides.

18 ways for introverts to communicate more effectively on the job

expert panel

Here are key strategies to grow in confidence and strengthen business relationships.  Contrary to popular belief, a successful, savvy business person is not necessarily always the biggest extrovert in the room. Improving your active listening skills and post-meeting communication strategies also play a part in capturing the attention of peers or direct reports regularly. This is key to building stronger team relationships.  By leaning into what makes them a little different from their outspoken counterparts, introverts are likely to have a positive impact in their place of business. If you're an introvert in the workplace and unsure about how to leverage your "superpower" as a reserved business professional who wants to get ahead, below, 18 experts from Fast Company Executive Board offer their tips on how to build your comfort level in engaging with others and being an effective communicator.

20 inventions that are changing the way leaders work and live

expert panel

Implement these innovations to give yourself back the time you deserve. In business, the saying goes: "Why reinvent the wheel when you don't have to?" As the digital revolution continues to rise, there are so many new technologies available at our fingertips to make work and home life more efficient.  Here, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members discuss one innovation that has influenced and improved the way they balance professional and personal responsibilities each day.

Is your elevator pitch moving you forward or holding you back?

expert panel

16 tips to showcase your business potential and achievements in minutes. Whether you are new to the business—trying to make a name for yourself—or a seasoned professional who wants to pivot your approach to share a new concept in the industry, networking opportunities may come and go, so they are essential and can be exciting at every point in your career. However, attending these types of events can also be intimidating or cause social anxiety if you are an introvert or extrovert who has not prepared properly to present yourself—and what you have to offer—to others.  The experts at Fast Company Executive Board realize how important it is to make the most of your time at these types of events. If you want to make a good impression this time around, here, they each share one way for business professionals to create the best networking elevator pitch to get your career or a new venture off the ground effectively.

Company details

Houseful

Company bio

Houseful guides consumers through the home journey by providing a customized home search experience, on-demand access to a network of industry experts, and the support of financial resources. Houseful aims to make the home ownership process more accessible to more Canadians.

Industry

Technology

Area of focus

Real Estate
FinTech

Company size

51 - 200