THE CAREER CATALYST

I’m the telescope for high-performing leaders, senior executives, and entrepreneurs on the brink of something big.

You’re a high achiever.

You’re driven by ambition, a pioneer carving out your own path instead of following the crowd. You don’t wait for opportunities—you make them happen. You learn fast, implement even faster, and you’re already successful.

BUT you know you’re meant for more in your career.

You lie awake at night, unable to shake the feeling that you're leaving potential on the table.

You have big ideas but never seem to get started on them.

You’ve achieved significant success, yet you feel like you’ve plateaued.

You catch yourself staring out the window wondering how years of industry-specific skills could translate into a new career.

And maybe without realizing it, you’re holding back from the big leap, believing you’re not ready—when your biggest opportunities are already within reach.

JUST IMAGINE HOW AMAZING IT WOULD BE TO…

Wake up energized, knowing you're stepping into your full potential by taking bold action toward your biggest goals, without procrastinating or second-guessing yourself.

Step fully into your expertise and own your success, positioning yourself as a leader in your field.

Turn your biggest ideas into career-defining opportunities, unlocking new levels of success and impact.

Make strategic career moves—whether expanding your creative influence, shifting industries, or taking your ideas to the next level—with clarity and confidence.

Finally break through any limitations holding you back and step into the future you know you’re meant for.

If this sounds like you, you’re exactly the kind of visionary leader I work with.

"I’m evolving into the next best version of myself because of Karen and her coaching!"

Nicole Danielle | Author & TV Producer

Karen Kunkel Young-Creative Career Coach

HI, I’M KAREN.

High-performing creative leaders come to me when they’re ready to take the biggest swing of their career.

I’m an executive leadership and career coach who helps creative professionals, senior executives, and entrepreneurs break through limitations, create bold opportunities, and step into the careers they were meant for.

For over 25 years, I’ve launched multi-million dollar creative projects, developed breakthrough talent, and led 100+ teams for global brands like NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and A&E Networks. I’ve built a career on taking bold leaps—from forging my own path in television to transitioning into an entirely new industry and building a business from scratch.

But success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you position yourself as a leader. As a master storyteller, executives and creative professionals own their narrative, confidently communicate their value, and craft a compelling career story that sets them apart in a competitive market.

My clients don’t wait for the right moment. They create it. Whether you’re stepping into a senior leadership role or pivoting into a new industry, your next career leap won’t come from playing it safe.

Ready to take a bold step forward? Let’s build a strategy that positions you for the high-level opportunities you deserve.

Choose your path to bold career growth!

READY TO SOAR

Your Ongoing Partnership for Bold Career Growth. When you're ready to take big swings, elevate your leadership, and turn ambitious visions into reality, you need a partner who’s with you every step of the way. Over 6-12 months, we'll work together to set bold goals and refine your personalized strategy as you grow. Through regular coaching sessions, targeted support, and unwavering accountability, you'll stay aligned with your vision, overcome obstacles, and build unstoppable momentum. Whether you're navigating a major transition, scaling your impact, or taking the leap toward your biggest goals, Ready to Soar is a trusted strategic partnership to help you break through limits and achieve extraordinary, lasting success.

WORK WITH ME
CREATIVE CATALYST

Your Career, Reimagined. Embark on a transformative journey tailored for creative leaders. Over 9 sessions, we’ll work together to identify what’s holding you back from achieving your career goals, uncover your strengths, and reignite your confidence. You’ll design an ideal career aligned with your passions, values, and transferable skills, crafting a strategic roadmap for success. From there, we’ll activate your success toolkit, refining your story and strategically presenting it through targeted outreach and networking. As your dedicated accountability partner, I’ll be with you every step of the way to help you build momentum, create opportunities, and launch a path toward the next chapter in your career.

I want this
3-Hour Power Session

Three transformative hours. One game-changing intensive. Sometimes, you don’t need ongoing coaching—you need a game-changing conversation. In this 3-hour intensive strategy session, we’ll cut through the noise, tackle your most pressing career challenges, and unlock fresh perspectives to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and momentum. Whether you’re feeling stuck, navigating a major decision, or preparing for a bold leap, we’ll clarify your vision, uncover what’s holding you back, and outline actionable next steps to guide your path forward. You’ll leave with a renewed sense of direction, forward momentum, and a clear plan to move ahead with purpose.

Let's go!

what PEopLE are saying

"Karen is the ultimate enabler of self-confidence; she somehow simultaneously challenges you directly with piercing (in a good way!) questions that help you get to the ROOT of your biggest blockers, whilst also pumping you up and reminding you of what you are ALREADY doing/capable of. I’ve never met someone who can get you to reflect so critically on precisely what matters, what the root cause of something is, whilst also giving you so much confidence and energy to fight for growth. My belief that my wildest dreams are not just possible, they are becoming a reality. Simply put, I’ve achieved my #1 dream since working with Karen."

Chris Lavoie | Founder, Partnership Mastermind
"As a long-time television Showrunner, I appreciated Karen's years of experience as a producer and high-level executive. She understood the nuance of entertainment and met the moment as the business weathered an upheaval like I've never seen in my 20+ years of producing. I've emerged from my time with her more steadfast in my mission and better able to articulate it, more confident in my skills as an entrepreneur and storyteller, and highly equipped to meet the moment as my career shifts gear."

MARY BETH ANDERSON | CEO & Founder, Junk Drawer Creative Studios
"Karen helped me craft a one-minute pitch for my pediatric oncology startup that was clear, compelling, and high-impact. Her coaching on pacing and sentence clarity was exceptional, and she gave me the gentle push I needed to step fully into my role as CEO. Karen brings a rare blend of strategic messaging expertise and supportive coaching that’s perfect when the stakes are high."

Caroline Brun | CEO, Voxel Healtcare
“Karen’s coaching is a salve to the psyche during this challenging period of contraction in the media industry. As your steadfast supporter, she cultivates a positive, forward-focused mindset paired with holistic intentionality that helps you show up as your best self. Most importantly, she's an attentive and empathetic listener who helps dismantle limiting beliefs, while reconnecting with strengths that fueled prior successes, propelling you toward new achievements. She's also a reliable and trusted advisor, inspiring momentum through insightful guidance and encouragement between sessions. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Karen.”

Chris Gidez | Show Runner & Master Storyteller
“She helped me find my innate ability to lead. I have a newfound confidence in my managerial approach, editorial judgment, and overall direction. As a result of Karen’s coaching, the big shoes that an executive must fill now fit much more comfortably.”

KYLE McCABE | Executive Producer & Show Runner
“One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about working with Karen is having the space to be creative. I’ve often come to our sessions in search of clarity on an issue. Once we get to the root, we have fun brainstorming solutions, creating action plans, setting goals and timelines. By working with Karen, I unlocked insights that propelled me to action."

JAVIER GONZALEZ | Luxury Fashion Executive & Entrepreneur
“I never felt comfortable opening up to others in the way I was so effortlessly able to do with Karen from our very first session. We started our journey at a milestone moment with my first book being edited and finished this part of our journey as my book got published - and I can honestly say, I would not have had the courage to see this through without Karen’s beautiful spirit as my guiding light. Anyone who gets to work with Karen will instantly be awakened to who they can become.”

NICOLE DANIELLE | Author & TV Producer
“I don’t know if I ever would have come to the conclusions that I reached without her help. So, it is with one step in front of the other that I am slowly writing the novel that is so important to me I feel more creative. Lighter. More accepting of failure because I know none of it matters unless I give it power. It’s been all about a lifestyle change for me, this shift, and it’s only happening because Karen showed me that I am more than I think myself to be."

ADRIA MARSCHALL | Writer & Producer
“Karen brought a warmth, enthusiasm, and professionalism that immediately made me feel at ease doing deep self-exploration. Working with her helped me deepen my perspectives, transform my mindset, and develop actions that I have been able to sustain. I'd highly recommend her to anyone looking to "take charge" of their lives with intention.."

KEVIN DELOS REYES | Sr. Manager, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
“Working with Karen is a truly unique experience and helps you maintain focus on taking action. She has a knack for driving accountability. With Karen, it's not just about setting goals, she ensures you're on track, making progress, and always looking further to make sure every base is covered. Her approach is both supportive and challenging, pushing you beyond your comfort zone while ensuring you never feel overwhelmed.”

JOAN G. | Marketing Executive
"Before I did the Creative Spark with Karen, I was feeling pulled in a few different directions. Like many people, stressful experiences from past jobs were making it hard to look into the future with a positive outlook. This assessment helped me see I have more choices than I thought – both in what I do next in my career and how I approach it. Thanks Karen!"

Becky Kaplan Farone | Founder & Self-Authority Speaker