Karyn Polak

Background

About Karyn Polak

I am passionate about social and economic equity, making progress towards a more regenerative and inclusive global economy, and the power of every single individual to contribute to the greater good if given agency and opportunity. I’m a lifelong learner and transparent communicator who brings to this work an insatiable curiosity; a facility for convening and connecting people and issues; and extensive private sector financial services experience and C-level legal expertise. Throughout my career, I’ve served as a strategic partner to C-suite executives; an advisor on sustainable finance and responsible business; and an inclusive, servant leader of dynamic legal, compliance, and government affairs teams in three top-ten financial institutions. My role – and my success – has always been to offer insights that accelerate growth while appropriately managing risk and balancing opportunity with costs (in every sense of the word). I’ve continually been tapped because of my ability to facilitate cross-function, cross-sector collaboration to maximize positive influence and impact.Highlights from my career thus far include:• Held leadership roles in banking, brokerage, wealth management, and insurance institutions; legal, financial services, and diversity-focused industry groups; and executive leadership and talent development networks.• Actively engaged as member, leader, public speaker, and advocate in economic growth and civic organizations and efforts. Launched an impact advisory to support individuals, foundations, non-profits, social enterprises, start-ups, and institutions to amplify and accelerate their social and economic impact to benefit people, place, and planet.• Managed local, national, and global teams ranging from seven to 300 people.• Managed an eight-figure P&L and outside counsel expense budget for the largest subsidiary of a public insurance company and revamped and oversaw grantmaking from a seven-figure corporate foundation.Beyond work, I prioritize fitness, music, reading, and most importantly time with friends & family.FOCUS: Strategic Advisor, Policy Advocate, Inclusive Economic Growth, Sustainability, Impact Investing, Diversity Equity Inclusion, Public Private Partnership, Public Benefit Corporations, B Corporations, Change Management, Servant Leader, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Governance, Community Development, Place-based Investing, Collective Impact