Event Planning and Management

Karen is a distinguished leader with a strategic mindset who brings a wealth of expertise from her years in the events industry. She plays a pivotal role in establishing and enhancing Aptive’s events capability through training, knowledge management, adaptation of new technologies and refining best practices. Karen takes a collaborative approach to cultivating efficient and effective teamwork. Her commitment to fostering trusted partnerships extends beyond her dedication to client service, driving her curiosity for innovation and new ideas.

Prior to Aptive, Karen oversaw the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s flagship public-facing events, leading cross-functional teams and managing event budgets exceeding $1 million. She spearheaded the Chamber’s transition from in-person to virtual events during the pandemic, producing a range of revenue-driving digital experiences, from the first episodic series attracting 18,000 registrants a week after the shutdown to regular broadcast productions to the Chamber’s first immersive digital event experience. Karen managed a diverse portfolio of over 600 annual events for the Council on Foreign Relations, including high-profile gatherings hosting distinguished speakers, including Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and David Petraeus. Karen remains actively engaged as a Professional Convention Management Association and Society of Government Meeting Professionals member.

• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
• Event Management Certificate Program, The George Washington University
• B.A., Business Economics and Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Taylor Wood is an experienced communication and change management strategist dedicated to building and leading proactive teams that go above and beyond for her clients. She oversees a portfolio of more than 18 teams across several government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Science Foundation. In this role, Taylor focuses on growing and expanding Human Experience’s event management capability and enhancing Aptive’s recruitment marketing services through the implementation of technical solutions.

Throughout her career, she has focused on learning various leadership styles and techniques to help others achieve success. Taylor is passionate about training others to lead with empathy and foster positive working relationships, enabling teams to provide exceptional service to clients. In previous roles, Taylor has led numerous communication teams and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Department of the Navy, VA, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Energy.

• Secret Security Clearance

• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

• Certified Change Management Practitioner, Prosci

• M.A., Strategic Communications, American University

• B.A., Communication Studies, West Virginia University

Let's Connect on LinkedIn

Taylor Grant is a creative leader and experienced designer who applies human-centered design to produce innovative and impactful visual communication materials. Through strategic oversight, she ensures the creative team develops engaging brands and campaigns that achieve client goals while informing, inspiring and encouraging action. She creates thoughtful brand identities, paid media, social, events, out-of-home advertising, websites and outside-the-box creative executions that connect with target audiences and leave a lasting impression.

Taylor has more than 12 years of experience in visual communications and her eye for design and prior work with federal agencies provides Taylor with the ability to lead, support and serve Aptive’s creative team.

• Telly Award Winner for Art Direction in Social Impact

• M.S., Communications Design, Pratt Institute

• B.A., Psychology, Dartmouth College

Let's Connect on LinkedIn