Posted March 21, 2016 by Editorial Staff in Business

[PROFILE] In 25 Words or Less: Karen Washington (Organization Leader: Sales)

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Key Influencers • Arts, Community and Business Leaders • Bay Area Personalities • Industry Experts.
What makes them tick? Find out . . .
In 25 Words or Less

Posted: March 21, 2016
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ORGANIZATION LEADER | NATIONAL SALES NETWORK (NSN SAN FRANCISCO)

THE BASICS

Name: Karen Washington
Age: 40s • Status: Married • Kids: Yes
Place of Birth: Detroit, MI • Raised: Detroit, MI
Professional Background: Karen serves as the Director of Sales for Client Solutions Group at DELL Inc, Americas. With a proven track record of progressive responsibilities in the wireless business and telecommunications industries, she previously held various Engineering roles for General Motors, and Program Management and Sales Leadership positions for Motorola and Comcast.
What achievement or position are you most known for? National Sales Network- San Francisco Chapter President
Contact/Follow: Website • Email
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25 WORDS OR LESS: WORK

Job(s) held that is most unlike what I currently do now: General Motors – Artificial Intelligence, Quality and Reliability and Electric Vehicle, Motorola-Automotive, Sales Manager Mobile Devices, Comcast Sales Director, DELL Sales Director
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Field #1: Sales
Yrs of Experience: 2
Title: SF President
Organization: National Sales Network (NSN) • San Francisco, CA
What it does and what I do: Professional 501c3organization whose objective is to meet the professional and developmental needs of sales professionals and individuals who want to improve their professional skills.
Current Big Project: NSN 20th anniversary conference
Staffing/Resource Needs: 50
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Field #2: Technology
Title: Regional Sales Director
Yrs of Experience: 15
Company: DELL Inc. – Santa Clara, CA
What it does and what I do: Responsible for Client Solutions Group for all of CA, Hawaii and Nevada Focused on End User Computing hardware for Medium and Commercial Business across Healthcare, Education, G-500 and Public Accounts.
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25 WORDS OR LESS: PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Significant Challenge: Diversity in the technology Industry.
Significant Mistake/Regret: Staying in a job too long when the company wasn’t a good fit from a culture perspective.
Significant Accomplishment: Helped win and develop telematics strategies for Ford Motor Company and General Motors, including OnStar turn-by-turn technology.
Career Advice: Make a career plan. Networking is key so follow-up , set up coffee dates and don’t just call people when you need them!
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25 WORDS OR LESS: PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Life Advice: When life’s give you lemons, make lemonade. Be fanatical! Failure Builds character that makes you stronger, smarter and tougher.
Trait(s) most admired in others: Timeliness, Inspiring, Positive, and Collaborative.
Some causes/organizations I support: NBMBAA, SWE, Jack and Jill Contra Costa Chapter
Some of my most-admired people (excluding parents): Oprah Winfrey,Mellody Hobson and Lakecia Gunter and the entire NSN SF board!
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25 WORDS OR LESS: LIFESTYLE

*Hours of “personal” downtime/week:* 0
Favorite activity(s) in my personal downtime: Working out that includes running, yoga, pilates and boot camps.
Some of my favorite local hangouts: MUA, Paradiso, and 24 hour Fitness
Some of my favorite TV shows: I don’t watch a lot of TV but sadly I like RHOA and Potomac, The Voice, Scandal and Empire.
What news outlets or media sources do you most rely on?: CNN
Favorite Vacation Spot(s): Hawaii, Turks and Caicos, and Cabo
Place(s) I would like to visit: Fiji, Bora Bora, Japan
Favorite Pastime/Hobby(s): Running Half Marathons
Favorite Book(s): “Strengthfinder 2.0,” Lean In” and “The Husbands Secret”
Something about me that may surprise you: I moved to the Bay less than 2 years ago from Detroit MI where I spent most of my entire life.
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25 WORDS OR LESS: AND LASTLY. . .

Stay tuned for my upcoming Leadership Book due out later this year. “The Face that Launched 1000″. Lessons Learned from a corporate girl.
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The NSN Annual Conference and Diversity Career Fair is the premier event for sales professionals and the largest of its kind. The conference features industry-led keynote presentations, workshops, panel debates and high-level networking. August 3-5, 2016 in Atlanta.

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