Karen Pugliese

Global President

Headshot of Karen Pugliese – Global President

As Global President, Karen Pugliese oversees The Collective’s business strategy and innovation agenda, as well as leading the global growth function.

Question person

When did you start working at Weber Shandwick?

Answer person

Unofficially, 1999. Officially, 2009. There’s a back story. Obviously.

Question person

What’s the coolest (or weirdest) place a project has taken you?

Answer person

Besides New Jersey? Definitely Cannes.

Question person

If you weren’t working in this industry, what would you want to do?

Answer person

Getting to see (and sometimes be a part) of the incredible creative work we do at Weber Shandwick is my favorite part of the job. So if I wasn’t doing this, I’d look for a totally different way to indulge my creative side – maybe signing on as an apprentice with a landscape design or architecture firm so I could take my amateur gardening skills to the next level!

Question person

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?

Answer person

There are two pieces of career advice I have always tried to follow. One, get comfortable being uncomfortable, and two, do the stuff no one else wants to do. Heeding both (as much as possible) has helped to build resilience, competency and humility.

Question person

What’s something surprising people might not know about you?

Answer person

I’m surprisingly good at ping pong.

Question person

Who is someone that inspires you right now?

Answer person

I’ve always been inspired by my Dad. He was the perfect blend of kindness, intellect and extra dry wit. And the best editor ever!

Question person

What’s your favorite thing about NYC?

Answer person

As a native New Yorker, the best thing about NYC besides everything, is the energy and diversity of the people who live and work there. And it’s where I met my husband.

Question person

What’s your favorite restaurant in NYC?

Answer person

Russ and Daughters (not technically a restaurant – just the best smoked fish in NYC.)

Question person

What is your most-used app on your phone?

Answer person

I just checked. I’m embarrassed to admit, it’s WAZE.

“Always do what is right. It will gratify some people and astound the rest.”

Karen Pugliese

Global President

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