ABOUT
ME
Passionate About Guiding People to Authentic Leadership
Karen J. Smith, MA OD, is the President/ CEO of KJS Leadership Development and provides coaching for mid and senior-level professionals in all industries who want to grow their career opportunities, lead with their strengths, and make a difference within their organization. Karen also guides leaders on how to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion into their teams.
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With her background as an educational leader for over 25 years, and as a CPA for 12 years serving non-profits, small businesses and government agencies, Karen brings a personal perspective of barriers and challenges she too faced and had to overcome to succeed.
Karen has lead change initiatives, developed teams, and assisted organizations in reaching goals. She recognized that the development of self as an authentic leader and then supporting the leadership growth of others was meaningful and the "secret sauce " to success. Having mentored peers, direct reports, and colleagues through her management roles, Karen began her coaching and consulting business in 2018. Through her experience and training, Karen developed a holistic coaching approach that allows individuals to “hear their own story” and create new pathways based on strengths and move towards authentic leadership. By incorporating inquiry, feedback and client self-reflection, Karen helps her clients uncover new approaches and strategies to achieve their goals.
Her educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Organization Development (OD) from Sonoma State where she focused her studies on the fundamentals of both technical and human systems, change management, and culture including how marginalized groups, specially women, access leadership positions. She earned her B.S. in Business Administration and Management, Accounting from Sacramento State University and obtained her CPA license in 1986.
Karen coaches remotely via video conferencing or by phone from her home in Sonoma, California and is always available to meet in person. Clients include from Modcloth, Epoch Education, and SoloQuest. Karen also contributes to several non-profits as a Board member and as a volunteer supporting youth organizations including a mentorship with a middle school student. When she’s not in her coaching role, she can be found training for half-marathons, hiking, and traveling with her husband.
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Janine Trame
"I worked with Karen for over 18 months during a time in my career when I was getting very little development from my manager and was confronted with many challenges at work. She helped me with many different issues from salary negotiation to conflict resolution, managing up, stress management, and ultimately she helped me creatively solve a myriad of different problems I faced. As I was getting little to no input and perspective from my manager, her coaching helped me reach a new level as a professional that I would have never achieved on my own. I am extremely grateful for her assistance and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future to accelerate my professional growth. I'd recommend her to anyone that is looking for professional development!"
Nomi Yay, CEO
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"Karen coached me several times in the first year of my business Elohe Loans. The note business is complicated and she listened patiently to my frustrations and goals. Karen is very easy to talk to with a very kind and intelligent personality. Without any knowledge about my specific business, she is consistently able to provide guidance and wisdom. She does it with listening not talking, because she gets that I have to have my own breakthroughs. I would wholeheartedly recommend her coaching services for any size business."