Full Name
Karen Blouin-Clay
Job Title
SVP Communications
Company
Lendmark Financial Services
Speaking At
Speaker Bio
Karen Blouin-Clay is the Senior Vice President of Communications for Lendmark Financial Services, an Atlanta-based Lightyear Capital portfolio company. She is a transformational leader with deep B2B and B2C expertise in communications, public relations, marketing, ESG, branding, and culture transformation in the financial services, franchise, QSR and automotive industries. Karen’s ability to combine analytics with strategy and consult on topics with both breadth and depth makes her unique as a trusted advisor.
She joined Lendmark in 2019 to launch the fast-growing company’s communications function, and is currently leading communications, PR strategy and corporate philanthropy, helping to further the company’s brand positioning and branch expansion.
Prior to joining Lendmark, she led internal communications for Cox Automotive’s Retail Division (six brands) and before that, the iconic Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen during the latter phase of its 10-year turnaround. Earlier in her career she held senior leadership roles at social enterprise start-up Benevolink, responsible for developing the nonprofit partner channel, and Ryla, a domestic outsourced support center where she was responsible for leading the marketing and PR strategy that helped propel the firm’s ten-fold growth in four years culminating in its acquisition.
Blouin-Clay earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Drake University. A wife, mother of three and passionate cook, she is a native of Los Angeles, CA but has called Atlanta, GA home for more than 20 years. She currently serves on the board for Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, is a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders.
Expertise:
• Corporate & Crisis Communications/Brand Reputation Management
• Corporate Philanthropy & Community Partnerships/Cause Marketing
• Public Relations
• ESG Communications
• Marketing & Brand management
• Culture Transformation and Multi-generational Employee Experience
• Conferences & Event
She joined Lendmark in 2019 to launch the fast-growing company’s communications function, and is currently leading communications, PR strategy and corporate philanthropy, helping to further the company’s brand positioning and branch expansion.
Prior to joining Lendmark, she led internal communications for Cox Automotive’s Retail Division (six brands) and before that, the iconic Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen during the latter phase of its 10-year turnaround. Earlier in her career she held senior leadership roles at social enterprise start-up Benevolink, responsible for developing the nonprofit partner channel, and Ryla, a domestic outsourced support center where she was responsible for leading the marketing and PR strategy that helped propel the firm’s ten-fold growth in four years culminating in its acquisition.
Blouin-Clay earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Drake University. A wife, mother of three and passionate cook, she is a native of Los Angeles, CA but has called Atlanta, GA home for more than 20 years. She currently serves on the board for Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, is a member of Chief, a private membership network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders.
Expertise:
• Corporate & Crisis Communications/Brand Reputation Management
• Corporate Philanthropy & Community Partnerships/Cause Marketing
• Public Relations
• ESG Communications
• Marketing & Brand management
• Culture Transformation and Multi-generational Employee Experience
• Conferences & Event
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