In the Media
Retiring Men on Boards Open Up Gains for Women at U.S. Banks
Boyden's Karen Kosiba Edwards shares her thoughts on the biggest impediment to board refreshment via retirement
Karen Kosiba Edwards
Managing Partner, United States
Member, Board of Directors, Boyden
Global Sector Leader, Real Estate
Karen Edwards has 25 years’ experience consulting with boards, CEOs and government on a range of strategic matters. She also draws on her own experience serving as a public company director, and as a C-level executive, to help clients build diverse, high-performing leadership teams and boards of directors. Her deep expertise in all areas of finance and banking is also a major asset to our clients.
Professional Focus
- Experience as a C-level executive, corporate consultant and investment banker
- 20 years’ experience serving on the boards of public and private companies; strong command of corporate governance leadership and best practices; special interest in sourcing diversity & inclusion; expertise in assembling boards and structuring executive compensation
- Background in investment banking and capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, regulatory compliance, business valuation, financial institutions, fintech, venture capital, wealth management, cross-border investment, retail brokerage, insurance and real estate
- Expert advisor on growth, turnaround and risk management strategies
- Federal government regulator and consultant to domestic and foreign governments
- Industry thought leader with speaking engagements at Deloitte, CFA Society, Institutional Investor, and UPWARD
- Proficient in English, French and German
Business Expertise
- Public company board member; advisory board member and investor in early-stage tech companies
- Financial and strategic consulting; business brokerage
- Senior Vice President of business development for ultra-high net worth multi-family office
- COO of firm managing early-stage funds for angel investors; helped create successful VC fund WomenAngels.net
- Managing Director of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc.: co-founded and built investment banking group; became partner prior to firm’s own IPO
- Director of Resolutions - Oversight Board for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), a temporary federal agency tasked with overseeing disposal of assets from failed savings and loans (S&Ls)
- Consultant to financial institutions globally on capital markets; advised Chinese government on failed bank resolution strategies; trained investment bankers at China’s largest commercial bank; introduced US wealth management concepts to Chinese investors
- Previous experience in B2B sales, alternative energy, retail investing, underwriting commercial insurance risks
Additional Expertise
- Banking & Capital Markets
- Fintech
- Institutional Asset Management & Alternatives
- Insurance
- Public Sector
- Real Estate
- Wealth Management & Private Banking
Areas of Expertise
Education & Certifications
- MBA from University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business
- BA from Carleton College, Minnesota
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Series 7, 63, 24
Affiliations & Awards
- Former Alumni Board Chairman and Trustee, Darden School of Business
- Member, Women Corporate Directors and Chairman, DC Chapter Program Committee
- Member, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
- Member, Women in Technology Leadership Foundry Steering Committee
- Former President, CFA Society of Washington
Case Studies
View All
Securing the Next Chief Investment Officer: Strengthening Leading Investment Strategy in a Public REIT
Having successfully recruited the outgoing CIO, Boyden was engaged to lead the search for their successor, ensuring continuity in strategy and leadership for a premier experiential REIT.
Driving Innovation: Recruiting Tech-Savvy Leadership in the Insurance Industry
This case study highlights the recruitment strategy of a tech-savvy independent director for a leading insurance provider in the trucking industry, emphasizing the alignment between expertise in technology and investment.
Securing a Top Tax Executive for a Leading Global Investment Bank
Discover how Boyden's strategic approach secured a top-tier Tax Executive for a leading global investment bank, resolving a year-long vacancy and enhancing their global tax compliance.
Thought Leadership
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Articles & Papers
Building Tomorrow: An Exclusive Interview with President of Dudley Ventures, LLC, James D. Howard, Jr. (Part II of II)
Articles & Papers
Building Tomorrow: An Exclusive Interview with Board Director and Real Estate Operations Executive, Stephanie Duncan (Part I)
Articles & Papers
Building Tomorrow: An Exclusive Interview with Avanti Senior Living Chairman & CEO, Tim Hekker
Articles & Papers
Building Tomorrow: An Exclusive Interview with President of Dudley Ventures, LLC, James D. Howard, Jr. (Part II of II)
Media
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Building Tomorrow: An Exclusive Interview with The Bergstrom Real Estate Center's William Hughes
Podcast
ESG: Opportunity or Minefield? Is your Company Getting it Right?
Video
Boyden Leadership Series Featuring Principality CEO Julie Ann Haines - Part 3
Video
Boyden Leadership Series Featuring Principality CEO Julie Ann Haines - Part 2
Video
News & Events
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Press Release
ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. Announces the Appointment of Two New Members to its Board of Directors
ACRES Commercial Realty Corp. announces the appointment of Boyden Managing Partner, Karen Edwards, to its Board of Directors
In the Media
What Drives CIO Pay at Endowments and Foundations?
FundFire examines recent study exploring factors contributing to Endowment and Foundation CIO compensation, including insights from Boyden’s Financial Services Partner, Karen Kosiba Edwards.
Contact Karen Kosiba Edwards today and let's get started