With 15 years of marketing and corporate communications experience, Karen Brand's career has included positions in non-profits, corporations, sports organizations and the tourism industry. Currently, Karen is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for The Plasencia Group, an investment advisory firm that specializes in hospitality transactions. Prior to that, she served for five years as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Tampa Bay and Company, the community's official tourism economic development organization. In this role, she was instrumental in the design and implementation of the area's successful bid to host the 2009 Super Bowl, the 2008 Women's Final Four, and several other large-scale events and conventions. She also served as the primary spokesperson for the organization, conducting hundreds of media interviews on behalf of the Company.

Her additional work experience includes marketing and communications roles with Special Olympics Connecticut, Special Olympics Florida, MGT of America, a management and consulting firm, and the Florida Sports Foundation, the official sports promotion and development organization for the State of Florida.

Most recently, Karen was selected to participate in Leadership Tampa, a leadership development program supported by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Karen has volunteered to serve as a member of several boards and committees for the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Downtown Attractions Association, and Dream a Dress for underprivileged teen girls. She and her husband reside in Hamden, CT. Karen currently serves on the board of directors for Jane Doe No More, Inc.