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Karen Clark

Karen ClarkKaren A. Clark, the first Multicultural Strategy Manager at City National Bank, creates and executes marketing strategies to attract diverse clients; and oversees diversity & inclusion strategies internally.

Prior to, she was the first multicultural marketing manager for U.S. Bank; before that, the first development director for non-profit Operation HOPE.

Karen began her career in Wells Fargo’s construction lending group; then Bank of America as a commercial real estate manager of a $7 billion portfolio; and later served as a corporate diversity specialist for BofA, trained and certified by J. Howard and Associates.

In that role, she traveled BofA’s footprint internationally, teaching managers how to attain greater bottom line productivity utilizing effective inclusionary practices; self-examination; and, behavioral change.

Karen serves the following boards: Educating Young Minds (president); L.A. Women’s Theatre Festival (secretary); PCR small business development Center (treasurer); Streetlights (PA training program) and, financial education director for the Duke Media Foundation.

She holds a BA in economics (CSU Sacramento); was named one of the “Top 20 Black Female Power Players in L.A. Business” Focus Magazine 2012; and received a Diversity Leadership award from the CA & Nat’l Diversity Councils, 2015. She is a frequent speaker on D&I topics including – Inclusive Leadership; Race & Privilege; and Personal Branding.

She is an actor, singer, songwriter, & producer. Her sophomore album, the Karen A. Clark Project, is available on iTunes, & CD Baby. She has been featured locally on the main stage of the Long Beach Jazz Fest; Pip’s; and the Central Ave Jazz Fest to name a few. The 3rd album, “Defying Expectations” is due out early 2018.

Karen’s one woman theatrical show “The Women”, has been featured numerous times (2013 – present) at the Ivy Substation (home of The Actor’s Gang); The Electric Lodge; The Fremont Centre Theatre.