Intro to The E Word

The E Word

This E Word is hosted by Brittany S. Hale and Karen McFarlane.
Brittany S. Hale, Founder and CEO, BND Consulting
Brittany S. Hale transcends the conventional role of Founder and CEO; she stands as a visionary, catalyst for transformative change, and beacon of inspiration for leaders across diverse industries. With a background in litigation, politics, and risk management, Brittany has paved her way to founding BND Consulting Group—an embodiment of her passion and unparalleled expertise.

At BND Consulting Group, Brittany empowers senior leaders with the tools to harness values to ignite better decision-making and turn purpose into profit in today's dynamically evolving landscape. As a trusted guide, she enables leaders to navigate intricate organizational transitions by operationalizing aspirational values. Her impact spans enterprises, government institutions, and startups alike. She has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Essence, TechCrunch, and Fast Company for her insights into entrepreneurship and leadership.

In her capacity as CEO, Brittany has crafted impactful organizational culture strategies for numerous entities. Her strategic insights led to a 21% increase in employee retention and savings of an additional $400,000 through astute operational advisement. As Interim CEO of an entrepreneurial-focused nonprofit, Brittany achieved impressive milestones, increasing donor contributions by 16%, reducing attrition from 27% to 0% in just 14 months, and boosting research-based revenue by a substantial 41%. In Fall 2022, Brittany shared her expertise by lecturing on managing human behaviors in organizations at Columbia University's School of Professional Studies.
Karen McFarlane, Founder and CMO, Kaye Media x Colossal Work
Karen McFarlane, the founder of Kaye Media, is a seasoned chief marketing officer with over 25 years of experience. Her expertise in shaping compelling brand narratives and strategies has guided businesses toward transformative growth and market clarity. Her work spans the technology, artificial intelligence, professional services, ecommerce, education, and entertainment industries — from startups to nonprofits to Fortune 1000 companies.

Karen's role extends beyond her fractional marketing company, as evidenced by her impactful tenure as President of the New York chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA), where she earned eight Chapter Excellence Awards and now champions equity as the Chair of DEI Innovation. Additionally, Karen serves on the Board of the Hudson Valley Credit Union, New York's fifth-largest credit union. Her influence is also felt nationally as the President-Elect and DEI Co-Chair for the AMA’s Professional Chapters Council and through her work with Momentum and Value for People of Color, where she champions equitable opportunities for young people of color.

Recognized as a thought leader, Karen frequently speaks on inclusive marketing and conflict resolution, and her contributions to the field have earned her recognition as one of the most notable figures in marketing and PR by Crain’s Business. Karen's commitment to advancing racial and gender equity in Corporate America is evident through her social impact initiative Colossal Work, which underscores her dedication to d

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