Karen McSteen, principal of brandMatters, brings to the firm over 25 years of experience helping Fortune 500 companies identify and develop strategies to maximize emerging opportunities in the areas of field operations, corporate marketing, executive leadership and brand management. McSteen focuses on developing a company-wide, brand-centered approach for her clients, a highly-effective strategy she honed in her leadership roles as AOL's Senior Vice President of Brand Strategy and Brand Vice President at Marriott International, and later from multiple strategic assignments at E! Entertainment, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, the National Restaurant Association and many others.

"Karen McSteen helped us drill down to the heart of our brand. The approach was focused -- and involved nearly every constituency that interacts with the network. This was a great way to identify, and solve, any potential discrepancies. The end result: A cohesive, concise brand direction we feel we can communicate easily." 
Cynthia McClellan, Executive Vice President, Research and Program Strategy E! Entertainment Television
 

"Karen McSteen has played a significant role in helping The Ritz-Carlton shape its long-term strategic plan. She has worked with our company
in a variety of capacities, including brand consulting, new product evaluation, senior leadership meeting facilitation and organizational structuring. She has impressed our leadership with her deep understanding of our brand and culture and her very structured and comprehensive approach to work."
Ken Rehmann, Global Officer, Brand Management, Marketing and E-Commerce, Marriott International
(Former Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company)