Dr Karen Sutherland is a globally recognised expert in strategic communication and AI integration, with over 25 years of experience blending academic research and real-world practice.

She is the author of the groundbreaking book AI for Strategic Communication (released March 2025), based on a global survey of 400 professionals and in-depth interviews with 41 industry leaders. Her earlier texts, including Strategic Social Media Management, have been adopted in universities worldwide and downloaded over 226,000 times.

As co-founder of Dharana Digital, a specialist communication and social media agency, Karen has delivered AI strategy, training, and consulting for organisations across corporate, government, and not-for-profit sectors.

She holds multiple advanced certifications in generative AI and digital marketing from leading institutions, and regularly appears as an AI and social media commentator on national television and in major publications.

Karen’s contributions have earned her prestigious awards, including Gold Stevie Award Winner – Woman of the Year in Social Media (2022), multiple Book Excellence Awards, Social Media Educator of the Year, and excellence in teaching and leadership honours.

She is passionate about helping communication leaders move from AI uncertainty to confident, ethical implementation.

In her courses and workshops, Karen shares proven frameworks, templates, and real case studies drawn from her research, client work, and book, enabling students to build practical, leadership-ready AI strategies that deliver measurable impact for their teams and organisations.

Students consistently praise her clear, structured approach and the immediate value they gain for career advancement in the AI era.