Karen is a career storyteller & creator of kkarenism.com, a career platform that has reached 110,000+ professionals across 116+ countries and helped them navigate their personal branding and professional development. Ranking as the #1 Google/Bing result for “Career Walking Decks” — a visual storytelling alternative to the traditional resume/cover letter — her efforts are redefining how job seekers stand out in one of the most tumultuous job markets in history.

Driven by a personal philosophy of “growing 1% everyday through finding inspiration to share with the world”, Karen has built a global presence by creating access for those who come from less-privileged, non-traditional, or diaspora backgrounds. She’s had 400+ career conversations and interviewed Fortune 50 C-Suites like Nike Jordan Chairman, Larry Miller, and inspiring voices like Kara Swisher & Scott Hanselman for career advice. To date, she has presented to 10,000+ people in diverse communities — from high school students and first-gen Latinas to U.S. military veterans and retired NFL players — on career development, personal branding, and networking.

Currently a CEO Communications Manager at Microsoft, Karen is driving AI transformation initiatives across the Office of the CEO (Satya Nadella) during the most transformative chapter of Microsoft’s AI era, and arguably of the tech industry itself. She leverages her social channels as an Employee Creator to amplify key moments like the 50th Anniversary Celebration, Work Trend Index, and flagship events. Karen has also led and engaged in global career initiatives reaching 200,000+ employees through programs involving Microsoft Aspire, Discovery, LEAP, Women at Microsoft, Asians in Marketing, and the Canada Career Network. Her passion sits at the intersection of tech, storytelling, and career empowerment — and she’s just getting started!

Alex Harlan is a Finance Program Manager at Google and Founder of Summit Resume, where he has helped 1,300+ professionals across levels and industries land competitive, 6-figure roles through powerful resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation. His work spans clients from students to senior VPs at companies such as Google, Amazon, and PwC, giving him a unique, cross-industry perspective on what actually drives hiring decisions and career advancement. He also serves as the Google Atlanta Career Development Site Lead and interviewer.

At Google, Alex leads large-scale finance automation and accounting initiatives, partnering with cross-functional teams to design scalable systems, improve financial reporting accuracy, and reduce operational risk across billions in revenue. His experience working at the intersection of finance, systems, and strategy gives him a practical understanding of how high-performing organizations operate, and what they look for in top talent.

Beyond his corporate role, Alex is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, speaking at 120+ workshops to a combined 10,000+ at organizations such as Google, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, and the University of Washington. His sessions focus on translating complex career strategies into simple, actionable frameworks that students and professionals can immediately apply.

Alex’s passion for this work is rooted in impact. From helping individuals land life-changing opportunities to supporting entire classrooms and organizations, he is driven by the belief that career growth should be intentional, strategic, and accessible. Students who learn from Alex don’t just gain information. They leave with clear systems, proven frameworks, and practical tools they can use the same day to accelerate their careers.