Karen Paterson

Karen Paterson is the founder and President of Stone Steps Foundation, which partners with social innovators building sustainable solutions to the problems of poverty. Karen was a founding director of Moxie Foundation where she led the philanthropy’s initiatives in sustainable development and social entrepreneurship for nine years, and provided strategic support for innovative programs driving change in higher education. 

Karen had a successful career in marketing, as co-founder and CEO of The Sutherland Agency, an advertising agency in San Diego; director of CPA Graphics & Design in Bournemouth, UK; and vice president for two department store chains. Karen was also the managing partner of a commercial real estate company in San Diego. She received a BA in Economics from Antioch College. 

In addition to Acumen, Karen serves on the board of Global Communities, which works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives and advance equity. Until recently she was on the board of Street Business School, a leader in entrepreneurial training for women living in poverty, currently operating in 25 countries.