Karen Cairney

Founder & CEO

Known for her passion, perseverance and integrity, Karen is not afraid to ask ‘What if’ and do what it takes to make ambitious ideas a reality and get to the heart and values of an institution.

She believes that your people are your greatest asset and the key to achieving your goals. Her ability to bring out the best in people is a recurring theme throughout her 25 year career in Canada, the US, Asia and the UK.

Karen’s empathetic approach, creative thinking, visionary strategy and engaging leadership style have enabled her to shape clients ambitious strategies and successfully deliver on sustainable fundraising campaigns and new models of income generation.

She has personally raised over £200m for not for profit organisations in health, education, arts, environment and social services.

Karen is an accredited Executive Coach and has coached C-Suite executives, academic leaders and advancement teams from across the sector, using a healthy mix of challenge and curiosity to help them see their strengths in a new light and push themselves to reach their goals.

She has experience working in many different cultures and countries and has built a global network of trusted advisors and partners. Through Cairney & Company, she has created an opportunity to tap into this network and connect her clients to the best minds from around the world.

What inspires Karen to think big?

"There are many people who inspire me, but Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill are two of my greatest inspirations. Both men were great orators and communicators who faced very tough decisions for freedom of country and race. They inspire me to constantly challenge myself and others to be all that they can be." As Churchill once said 'You make a living by what you get but you make a life by what you give.'