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Karen Kocher

Global General Manager, Future of Work, Workforce of the Future and Employee Experiences, Microsoft
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By training, I am a senior talent, learning, and HR executive. I have Currently, I am Global General Manager of the Future of Work, Workforce of the Future and Talent & Learning Experiences for Microsoft where I help create a workplace experience to empower employees to produce their best work around the world. Before Microsoft, I was a Talent Executive and the Chief Learning Officer for Cigna Corporation where I led workforce development for 40,000 employees worldwide. I have also worked at IBM, IKON Office Solutions, and Aetna performing a variety of roles including product strategy, general management, risk management, sales, among others.

I have a B.A. in Political Strategy and Communications from DePaul University and am a strong believer in lifelong learning having completed leadership and management programs at Harvard Business School, and the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business, and Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business.

I am a member of six nonprofit boards, including Excelsior University Board of Trustees, Jobs for Americas Graduates (JAG), and Upskill America, where I focus on learning, talent, skills, and job readiness outside of the workplace. Exposure to humanity recharges me so I often invest my personal time traveling to interact with diverse cultures and peoples, enjoying nature, and appreciating art.

Over my career, I have managed several P&Ls and achieved consistent sales growth; successfully designed and launched products; and executed strategies that significantly improved my company’s Net Promoter Score. But the times I felt the most satisfied were when I helped nurture the leader inside of those around me. Not only does this translate into sustainable growth, but it is a legacy bigger than yourself. I am devoting the balance of my life to making this truth actionable for more people and more organizations.