Professional Experience
Karen is a Groundbreaker in the Marketing, Public Relations & Communications Industry in Canada.
Throughout her remarkable 30-year career, Master Communicator & Marketer Karen Dosanjh has overcome both gender and cultural barriers to reach new heights in the business & technology industry.
Karen is one of the first women of Indian descent to practice public relations in Canada (1992), and serve on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Public Relations Society in Vancouver (1995-1998).
She is a force to be reckoned with in Canada’s tech marketing sector and was instrumental in the launch the brand of three successful start-ups throughout her career including: Information Systems Management BC (ISM-BC) which was acquired by TELUS in 2000, and Bit Stew Systems which was acquired by GE Digital in 2016. She is currently the Vice-President, Marketing at OSI Digital and has led the global marketing strategy for Fortune 500 companies around the world. Karen works out of her home-based office in Surrey, BC, full-time and leads a global team. Karen is the first woman to earn a VP title at OSI Digital which celebrates 30 years in business in 2023, as a global digital transformation provider.
Karen’s key focus areas of work include: Marketing Communications, Brand Management, Corporate Communications, Digital Media & Content Generation, Media & Analyst Relations, Social Media, Event Marketing, Employee Culture & Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility and Issues & Crisis Management.
In March 2023, Karen was named a finalist for the Surrey Board of Trade’s Women in Business Awards in the “Corporate Leader” category. This award recognizes the impact and leadership of Surrey’s businesswomen along with their vast contributions to the broader community.
In May 2023, Karen earned the BC Business 'Women of the Year’ award in the “Entrepreneurial Leader” category and was selected to grace the coveted magazine cover. This award is based on her extraordinary 30-year career contributions in the business and tech industry in Canada and around the world.
(Watch the video below where Karen shares her thoughts on why we need more women in tech.)
Professional Skills
Brand champion and innovator for GE Digital, part of one of the world’s most iconic brands
Strong background and experience in digital transformation focused marketing
Excellence in corporate communications strategy, execution, and measurement
Superb writer and engaging storyteller
High EQ and adept at collaborating and building consensus across functional teams and countries
Superb organization, change management and project management skills
Inspiring and authentic leader focused on building trust and bringing out the best in others
Consistently deliver projects on time and budget, always with a focus on innovation
Exceptional Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Service background
Experienced in International Relations, Karen has travelled to the following countries for professional purposes: US (LA, San Francisco, San Antonio, New York, New Orleans), Germany (Hannover), Austria (Vienna), Italy (Milan) and India (Chandigarh).
Career Highlights
Richmond Center Mall & Richmond Hospital, 1992: Local first, Karen kick-started her career promoting community programs for the mall as a volunteer, and then managing public health awareness campaigns for Richmond Hospital.
City of Surrey, 1993: Karen landed a job in the Public Affairs Department at the City where she managed media relations, interfaced with key City stakeholders, and organized events related to Surrey officially becoming a City.
Vancouver Canucks Hockey Club, 1993-1994: While serving an internship in the Media and Public Relations Department, Karen wrote and produced the 1994/95 Vancouver Canucks Yearbook, 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Guide, Canuck Alumni Newsletter, and Canuck Foundation Newsletter. Her innovative work was featured in the Vancouver Sun.
Chartered Accountants of BC, 1995-1997: As Senior Communications Officer, Karen executed a pro-active PR and issues management strategy that generated positive coverage in media platforms across in BC and nationally.
Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, 1997-1999: As Corporate Communications Manager, Karen was part of a team that was instrumental in bringing the innovative RealtyLink to market which moved MLS listings from printed books that were primarily in the hands of realtors to digitally savvy consumers in both a website and print format.
Information Systems Management BC - ISM-BC, 1999 - 2003: First person to manage the communications function at ISM-BC, and was responsible for initiating all internal and external communications programs from the ground up for this international company which was acquired by TELUS.
TELUS Communications Inc, 2003-2009: As the Media Relations Manager, Karen served as the media spokesperson on high profile and sometimes contentious issues and policies affecting TELUS, the second largest telco in Canada. Karen was the first woman to hold this highly visible leadership position at TELUS due to her trusted reputation and business acumen. Karen went on to hold multiple positions at TELUS including: Senior Communications Business Partner for HR, and the Tech Strategy team.
TELUS Communications Inc, 2008-2013: As Senior Communications Business Partner, Community Investment, Karen developed and executed a highly successful communications marketing strategy for TELUS’ national community investment program called We Give Where We Live which is still thriving today.
Bit Stew Systems, 2013-2016, as Senior Director Marketing & Communication, Karen established the marketing function at Bit Stew which contributed to the company being acquired by GE Digital for $200 million, making it one of the most successful exits in Canadian tech history.
GE Digital, 2016-2018: As Innovation Director, Global Brand, Karen oversaw the brand integration strategies for GE Digital’s acquisition companies and drove the company’s digital industrial transformation brand and narrative in the global marketplace. Karen was selected to host a company-wide panel with then CEO of GE, Jeff Immelt.
OSI Digital, 2018 - Present: Karen becomes the first woman to hold a Vice-President position at this global, technology services company that has been serving Fortune 500 companies for 30 years.
This is just a snap shot of her career highlights. To view a complete summary of Karen’s professional experience. View her profile on LinkedIN below.
