Karen Bannister

Karen Bannister

Executive Operations Leader Driving Clarity, Alignment & Executive Communications

New York, NY

Phone:

714-944-0757

Email:

karenk.bannister@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION

Dynamic executive operations and administrative leader with experience supporting C-suite executives, founders, and senior leadership teams across complex, fast-paced environments. Known for blending strategic thinking, operational rigor, and refined executive support to drive clarity, alignment, and execution at the highest levels of an organization.

As a trusted partner to leadership, I bring deep expertise in executive administration, business operations, and organizational strategy—ensuring leaders are supported with precision, discretion, and foresight. I excel at managing priorities, streamlining processes, anticipating needs, and translating vision into actionable plans that enable executives and teams to perform at their best.

Recognized for sound judgment, polished communication, and calm execution under pressure, I operate with the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. A proactive problem-solver and collaborative thought partner, I thrive in environments that demand both structure and adaptability. My work is guided by a commitment to clarity, alignment, and excellence—supporting leaders not only in what they do, but in how they lead, communicate, and show up with confidence and authority.

SIGNATURE CAPABILITY

You may ask - why should I hire Karen? What sets her apart?

One of my strongest - and most unique - capabilities is what I call Strategic Pattern Intelligence: the ability to perceive emerging patterns across complex systems - people, operations, strategy, and environment -and translate those insights into proactive action.

While most operationa leaders and organizations rely on retrospective reporting, this ability allows me to focus on the signals that appear before issues or opportunities become visible in standard metrics.

By synthesizing fragmented information across teams, workflows, leadership dynamics, and market context, this capability enables:

early detection of risks and operational frictione
identification of emerging opportunities and inflection points
faster strategic alignment across leadership
proactive decision support for executives and founders

At its core, Strategic Pattern Intelligence is a form of advanced situational awareness—combining systems thinking, pattern recognition, and intuitive insight to help leaders navigate complexity with greater foresight.

EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Strategic partner to founders, executives, and senior leaders, as an extension of leadership to drive clarity, execution, and organizational alignment.
Design and manage executive operating rhythms, including priorities, planning cycles, leadership meetings, and decision frameworks.
Lead cross-functional initiatives spanning operations, finance, marketing, and brand strategy, ensuring delivery against strategic objectives.
Preparation of executive briefings, presentations, and talking points for board meetings, investors, and external stakeholders.
Provide high-discretion counsel on sensitive personnel, organizational, and reputational matters.
Maintain and guide prioritization of objectives during periods of transition, growth, and restructuring.
Sales leadership and client management in the short-term rental and luxury event space.

Southwestern Consulting

2021 - Present

Executive Assistant to Founding and Senior Partners

Provide high-level executive and operational support within a fast-paced sales and leadership consulting and coaching environment, partnering closely with senior leaders to enable focus, execution, and organizational effectiveness

KKBI

2019 - Present

Executive Operations Consultant

Independent / Contract (Self-Employed)
Provide senior-level executive support and operational coordination on a contract basis for executives, founders, and leadership teams across multiple industries, serving as a trusted extension of leadership during periods of growth, transition, or increased complexity.

EARLIER CAREER: EXECUTIVE SUPPORT, OPERATIONS, AND LEADERSHIP ROLES

Progressively responsible roles supporting senior leaders across operations, administration, and business management.
Recognized for discretion, organizational excellence, and the ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
Management and training of administrative and operations staffs.
Management of facility operations of 400+ employees; creation of cross-departmental alignment.
Management of Customer Experience Center operations, hosting clinical, government, and international delegations.
Direction of M&A due diligence workstreams and strategic planning processes.
Creation and execution of succession planning systems in collaboration with HR leadership.
Planning and execution of corporate events, communication systems, vendor relationships, and compliance efforts.
Reduction of operational costs 10–15% through vendor optimization; improve administrative efficiency and accuracy.
Creation of executive personal brand alignment by leveraging expertise in executive presence, communication, and personal presence marketing to support leaders in high visibility