Summary: L. Joy brings her mentor to the front of the class for a discussion on the presidential race, speaking up in corporate spaces and the role of legacy civil rights organizations in the modern era. Karen shared her #FirstCivicAction which was in college when she visited her state representative for a student lobby day to advocate for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program). We then discussed how she used her position as a corporate leader to<br> <br> More About Our Guest:<br> Karen Boykin-Towns has built a reputation as a visionary and strategic results-driver in complex business and government environments based on demonstrated success in the areas of policy, advocacy, communications, and proactive change management. She excelled in her career at Pfizer for 22 years, being named the company's first Chief Diversity Officer in 2008 and became the Vice President Corporate Affairs for their $34B Innovative Medicines business.<br> <br> She served as Legislative Director then Chief of Staff to New York State Senator David Paterson, who later became the 55th Governor of New York.<br> <br> Karen Boykin-towns leverages her talent as a coalition-builder and social change agent through her active participation in various organizations. She has served as a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors for 12 years before being elected as Vice Chairman of the Board in 2018. She is also the Chairman of its National Health Committee. Karen is a member of the Brewster Academy Board of Trustees and past Co-Chair of the Business Council of New York State. She has been featured in Black Enterprise, Bloomberg Businessweek, Ebony Magazine, Crain’s, African American Career World, Network Journal and Crisis Magazine. Savoy Magazine named her a “Top Influential Woman in Corporate America” in 2016.
