Helping others rise is part of Karen’s DNA. She
pays it forward through mentorship & by creating
space for women in business & tech.

“Empowered women have a duty to help empower other women. Inevitably when women within a community rise, the entire community benefits from their success.”

- Karen Dosanjh

Mentoring Women in Business & Tech

  • In 2017, Karen established the first-ever GE Women’s Network in BC to help women break into careers in the business and tech industry. The Network provided opportunities for connection, professional development and advocacy on the women’s pay gap and representation in leadership.

  • In October 2017, Karen partnered with her former colleagues at TELUS, to launch Women in IoT - Adopters & Influencers event to inspire young women in business about careers in this burgeoning tech space. Karen was instrumental in bringing together female thought leaders representing smart cities, tech start-ups and major industrial and consumer organizations who are winning in this high growth space.

  • Karen also collaborated on the high-profile event with the BC Tech Association and raised funds for Dress for Success - Vancouver to help at-risk women get back into the workplace. Karen organized a collection for work wear items to be donated to this cause as she believes that every woman deserves a fair chance to get the job.

  • In 2018, she served as a dedicated mentor and keynote speaker for Young Women in Business (YWiB). Karen hosted a master class for young women to share tips on how to build your own brand to have a broader and more focused impact in your home, workplace & community.

  • In 2019, Karen was named a Shakti Award recipient for Professional Achievement. The Shakti Awards honour South Asian women who demonstrate extraordinary leadership combined with a deep commitment to bettering their communities.

  • Karen is also a sought-after speaker and subject matter expert who advocates for the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in BC workplaces. In 2022, Karen spoke on a Canadian Public Relations Society panel called Honest Conversations with South Asian Media & PR Ground breakers where prominent South Asians discussed issues related to diversity & inclusion in leadership roles.

  • She has been featured in Business in Vancouver’s Women of Influence issue, Shushma Dhatt’s Women in Focus television show in 2005 and 2021, and the BC Tech Association’s Women in Tech series. Karen has also been interviewed and featured in the Surrey Leader, The Vancouver Sun, Global TV, CBC Radio and much more on various issues of the day. Karen is proud to represent South Asian women influencers in the media on many critical issues impacting women in the workplace and community.

  • She was also a featured Co-author of Pursuit 365 (2022 Edition) which features inspiration stories by 365 inspiring Canadian women who constantly pursue excellence by leading by example at work and in their local communities.

UPLIFTING OTHER WOMEN: In March 2023, Karen volunteered her time to serve on the Organizing Team of the Shakti Society’s 22nd Annual Shakti Awards Gala with Founder, Sonia Andhi and Educator, Gurpreet Kaur Bains. (Karen and Gurpreet are both past Shakti Award recipients. Held to commemorate International Women’s Day, this event was an opportunity for the Shakti team to honour remarkable South Asian women who lead in their fields while making a profound impact in their communities. For the past two decades, the Shakti Awards have been organized FOR South Asian women BY South Asian women and has created a platform that inspires future generations of women and girls to break cultural & societal barriers. All funds raised through this event, will go towards scholarships to empower girls in Surrey schools. Over 400 attendees came out to celebrate and support women rising at this sold-out event.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: BOARD APPOINTMENT

In 2023, Karen was appointed to the Be the Light Society’s (BTL) Board of Advisors. Be the Light aims to empower South Asian women & girls with connections, mentoring & development, and financial empowerment. The organization intends to create safe spaces that elevate South Asian women's voices and representation here in Canada and around the world. This is a preeminent leadership, community and development organization that was created for women and led by women. The second annual Be the Light Gala will be held on Nov. 2, 2023. Follow @bethelightsociety on Instagram for more info.

MENTORING UBC SAUDER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS STUDENTS

In 2023, Karen Dosanjh was invited by the UBC Marketing Association to serve as a Delegate at their Career Gateways Conference. As a dedicated mentor, Karen spoke to university students who were interested in careers in the Marketing and Tech industries. She provided advice on various career paths and talked about the future of the industry. Karen also focused on the importance of working towards career success while contributing to community causes you care about.

Check out her latest profile in Fresh Magazine where Karen shares thoughts on her keys to success as a career woman and what motivates inspires her work.

Karen was recently featured in Drishti Magazine in an article titled: Visionary Leader & Change Maker is Breaking Ground for Women.