Karen Jackson is originally from Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and moved to Nashville to attend Fisk University.  Following graduation, she began her career in marketing, working in the music industry at EMI Gospel and later for Motown Records as the Director of Marketing for their Gospel division. She oversaw all branding, marketing, and publicity for the label. Over the last seventeen years, she has worked with many high-profile artists, including CeCe Winans, Aaron Neville, Smokie Norful, Heather Headley, Vashawn Mitchell, Tasha Cobbs, the Clark Sisters, and Kenny Lattimore.  Early in her career, Karen was recognized by Billboard Magazine in their annual “30 Under 30” music executives to watch.  

In 2015, Karen graduated with an MBA from Auburn University as part of the first graduating executive MBA class in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business.  

In 2017 she joined Nelson Books as the Director of Marketing.  She develops strategic marketing and brand campaigns for New York Times bestselling authors, including Jefferson Bethke, Donald Miller, Jen Hatmaker, most recently Bob Goff. 

Karen is passionate about leadership, and especially women in leadership. She happily leads a small all-female team of young millennial marketing and publicity geniuses.  

Karen is a mother, avid reader, traveler, and lover of all things wine.