Speaking
Engage, Inspire, Transform
Speaking
Karen is an engaging and thought-provoking speaker. Whether it is a master-class on sales, a keynote presentation on trends in food, or the ins and outs of running a business, she really connects with her audiences. And, as one of the first women entrepreneurs and leaders in the fresh produce industry, she often speaks to women’s leadership groups about how to get what you want in life. Karen is relatable to all audiences, as she knows how to use humor to deflect the stress of the real world. She has spoken to groups of 20, 100, or as large as 1,000. She always customizes her presentations to the needs of the audience.
Interviews and Podcasts
Karen is the perfect guest for a podcast session on business, leadership, company culture, marketing and personal branding.
Writing an article? Karen is not afraid to talk with the press. If she is not the best person for the interview topic, she will happily refer you to other professionals from her network.
Testimonials
What others say about Karen
Previous Speaking Engagements
2023
Guest, Todd-Versations Podcast with produce expert Todd Linsky
2022
Speaker, SheppardMullen Women’s Leadership Council, Orange County California
2019
Panelist at Forbes Ag/Tech Conference, Palo Alto, CA
2018
Guest Speaker, Summer Citrus from South Africa, Annual USA Planning Session
2017
Guest Speaker, California Department of Public Health Managers and Supervisors Meeting; Topic: “Secrets to Outside the Box Thinking”
2017
Keynote Speaker, University of La Verne CEO Summit
Topic: “5 Tips on Business Success”
2017
Speaker, Las Vegas Food Expo
Topic: “Fresh Trends in Produce”
2017
Speaker, SCORE-Orange County, Women in Business Breakfast Series
Topic: “My Top 4 Tips for Professional Fitness”
2016
Keynote Speaker, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at Long Beach City College, Alumni Luncheon
2016
Speaker, BittenLA conference
Topic: “From Kale to Dragon Fruit: Making Produce Trend”
2016
Panelist, UnitedAg Breaking Through conference: “Women Ag Leaders,
Paving the Way”
2016
Speaker, Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Produce Retail Manager Sessions
Topic: “Exotic Produce”
2016
Speaker, California Academy of Nutritionists & Dietitians annual conference
Topic: “Your Journey to Becoming the Best Version of Yourself as a Leader”
2015
Panelist, Produce Marketing Association (PMA) “All Together Now: Innovative Marketing Tactics to Grow Sales” Work
2015
Featured Speaker, United Fresh Reception Honoring Women in Produce, Chicago
2013
Keynote Speaker, New York Produce Show Media Luncheon
2013
Speaker, Schnucks Supermarkets Inaugural Management Development Speaker Series
2012
Los Angeles KFWB 980 AM Radio: “Unfinished Business with Betsy Berkehemer and Renee Fraser”
Topic: “Family Business Succession Tips”
2012
Keynote Speaker, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses CEO Speaker Series, Long Beach City College
2010
Annual Guest Lecturer, Ag Marketing Class, Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo
2011
Panelist, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Annual Conference, “Success Stories from Pioneering Women Entrepreneurs”
2011
Speaker, Organization of Women Executives (OWE) Luncheon, Los Angeles
2011
OC Talk Radio: “Critical Mass with Richard Franzi.” Topic: “10 Keys to Success in a Family Business”
2011
Speaker, Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association Luncheon
2010
Mistress of Ceremonies, Pillars of EARTH: Sustainable Leadership Awards (EARTH University Foundation, Atlanta, GA).
2009
Speaker, Houston Produce Council Luncheon
2009
Panelist, PMA’s Foundation for Industry Talent Seminar
2008
Irvine KDOC-TV: “Daybreak OC” guest appearances with specialty produce
2003
Keynote Speaker, Wal-Mart Produce Manager National Summit,
Kansas City, Mo. Topic: “Trends in Food”
2001
New York TV Food Network: “Cooking Live with Sara Moulton”
Kansas City, Mo. Topic: “Trends in Food”
2001
Speaker, International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Annual Conference, Minneapolis, Minn. Topic: “The World of Specialty Produce”
2001
WHYY Radio (NPR Affiliate). Topic: “A Chef’s Table”
2001
Speaker, CaterSource 9th Annual Conference & Trade Show, Las Vegas. Topic: “Specialty Produce That Sells”
2001
KCSN 88.5 Cal State Northridge Radio with Patricia Greenberg. Topic: “The Purple Kiwi Cookbook”
2001
“The Produce Pair” radio program. Topic: “Specialty Citrus”
2001
WHYY Radio – Maiken Scott. Topic: “The Purple Kiwi Cookbook”
2000
Radio Interview: WOR Radio with Phil Lempert. Topic: “New Year’s Resolutions Pertaining to Health/Nutrition: What was the hottest thing in 2000, and what is going to be hot in 2001?”
2000
Keynote Speaker, Colorado Produce 2000 Convention & Trade Show. Topic: “The New Marketplace.”
2000
Speaker, California State University, Fullerton, College of Business & Economics Family Business Council
2000
Radio Interview: WOR Radio with Phil Lempert. Topic: “The Purple Kiwi Cookbook”
1999
Keynote Speaker, National Association of Women Business Owners. Installation of Officers, Palm Desert Cities
1999
Speaker, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (UFFVA). Topic: “Ethnic Marketing.”
1999
Speaker, Flora World ‘99, Atlanta. Topic: “Customer Service.”
1998
Panelist, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (UFFVA). Food Service Conference
1998
Forum Panelist, Women’s Business Development Center, Chicago. Topic: “Business Connections: Strengthening Opportunities”
1998
Speaker, Roundtable for Women in Food Service
1997
Speaker, Tokyo Chamber of Commerce & Industry Businesswomen’s Club International Business Women’s Forum 1997, Los Angeles
1997
Speaker, Executive Women’s Council. Topic: “Leadership in 21st Century: Women Will Make a Difference”
1997
Keynote Speaker, Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey. Topic: “Building Your Niche in the Produce Industry of the Next Century”
1996
Speaker, Washington State Horticultural Association. Topic: “Fruit Marketing for the Future”
1996
WAGA-TV, Channel 5: “Good Day Atlanta”
1996
Speaker, California Packaging Club
1996
Speaker, Inc. 500 Conference. Topic: “The Fruit of Their Labors: What It Really Took to Implement Customer Service”
1996
Guest Speaker, Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Award Ceremony
1996
Speaker, Food Industries Sales Managers Club of Los Angeles
1996
Panelist, International Association of Culinary Professionals
1995
Speaker, Professional Women’s Business Alliance. Topic: “Setting Yourself Apart from the Pack...The Competitive Edge”
1995
Speaker, Professional Association for Cactus Development. San Antonio, Texas
1995
Panelist, Southern California Conference on Women In Business: Uncommon Women on Common Ground. Topic: “The New Family Business”
1995
Television Food Network - Lifetime Cable: “Our Home.” Topic: “Lost CropsTM of the Americas”
1995
Television Food Network - Lifetime Cable: “Our Home.” Topic: “Mediterranean InspirationsTM”
1994
Leadership – California. Topic: “Professional Women in Leadership Roles”
1994
Panelist, American Women’s Economic Development (AWED) Southern California Conference for Women Business Owners. Topic: “Transitioning a Family Business”
1994
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Regional Luncheon, San Gabriel-Pomona Valley. Topic: “How to Be Successful in a Family-Owned Business”
1994
Panelist, United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association (UFFVA), San Diego. Topic: “Produce Outlook 1994”
1993
Louisville Chamber of Commerce Climbing Mountains Seminar. Topic: “How to Successfully Transition a Family Business”
1993
Louisville Chamber of Commerce Climbing Mountains Seminar. Topic: “Successfully Introducing TQM”
1993
Keynote speaker, Verdugo Hills Business and Professional Women, Los Angeles
1993
Panelist, Global TQM, Mexico City. Topic: “Improving North American Competitiveness in Global Markets”
1993
Panelist, Inc. 500 Conference, Pittsburgh. Topic: “Total Quality Management”
1993
Keynote Speaker, Cal State Poly, Pomona, Gamma Sigma Delta. Initiation Banquet, Pomona, Calif.
1993
Panelist, Town Hall Executive Series, “Strategies for Recovery and Growth,” Los Angeles
1993
Farm Direct Marketing Conference, “Marketing Changes in the 1990s,” Portland, Ore.
1993
Speaker, Hispanic Association for Professional Advancement (HAPA) for Xerox, El Segundo, Calif.
1992
Speaker, Agritrade 1992, Central American Agriculture Conference, Guatemala City, Guatemala
1992
Rochester Institute of Technology School of Food, Travel & Hotel Management, Rochester, N.Y.
1992
Cornell University School of Hotel Management and the Society for Edible, Horticulture, Ithaca, N.Y.
1992
Speaker, Floral Marketing Association Annual Exhibition, Denver
1992
Speaker, International Farmers’ Direct Marketing Conference, Portland, Ore. Topic: “Marketing Changes in the 1990s”
1992
Keynote Speaker, Washington State Vegetable Growers Association. Topic: “Marketing for Success and Profit”
1991
Featured Speaker, Culinary Alliance. Topic: “Food as Medicine”
1991
Panelist, Produce Marketing Association Convention
1991
Indiana Retail Grocers Association. Topic: “Marketing Trends”
1991
The Home Show, Nationally Syndicated Television Show. Topic: “Do Powerful Women Intimidate Men?”
1991
Panelist, NAWBO Dinner, “Women Breaking Barriers.” Sheraton Grand Hotel, Los Angeles
1991
University of California, Los Angeles, Entrepreneurial Studies Center. Topic: “Family Business”
1991
Panelist, University of California, Los Angeles, International Symposium on Family Business
1990
Guest Lecturer, Stanford Law School. Topic: “Real World Marketing: Frieda’s Finest - A Case Study”
1990
Panelist, Vision for the 1990s, Sponsor: KCOP-TV. Topic: “How to Become/Stay a Successful Entrepreneur in the Upcoming Recession”
1989
Keynote Speaker, Soroptimist Club Annual Awards. Rio Hondo Country Club, Downey, Calif.
1988
Guest Faculty Member, Young Presidents’ Organization Fall Eastern Regional Conference, Pittsburgh Chapter