Karen Pugliese
Global President
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.
When did you start working at Weber Shandwick?
Unofficially, 1999. Officially, 2009. There’s a
back story. Obviously.
What’s the coolest (or weirdest) place a project
has taken you?
Besides New Jersey? Definitely Cannes.
If you weren’t working in this industry, what would
you want to do?
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!
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever gotten?
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.
What’s something surprising people might not know
about you?
I’m surprisingly good at ping pong.
Who is someone that inspires you right now?
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!
What’s your favorite thing about NYC?
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.
What’s your favorite restaurant in NYC?
Russ and Daughters (not technically a restaurant –
just the best smoked fish in NYC.)
What is your most-used app on your phone?
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.
