Karen Leland

Over the past 25 years, Karen has successfully worked as a management and marketing consultant, freelance writer, keynote speaker, spokesperson, media guest, freelance writer and reporter, author, sometime exhibiting artist and occasional actress.

'Clearly, being a one-trick pony is not my strong suit — and that’s my strong suit.'

Karen Leland is the President of Sterling Marketing Group, where she helps CEOs, entrepreneurs, small businesses and Fortune 1000 companies build stronger personal, business and team brands using a strategic and comprehensive approach that integrates business development, branding, content/Internet marketing, public relations and social media. 

Drawing on 25 years of consulting experience, Karen takes a systems approach to help her clients effectively navigate the wired world of today's business landscape while powerfully communicating their messages to the public, potential customers and media. She is the best-selling author of nine books, which have sold over 350,000 copies and been translated into ten other languages including German, Spanish and Korean. She has written more than 200 articles on business, food, travel, health and lifestyle for a wide variety of magazines, newspapers and blogs, such as Forbes.com, Self, Woman's Day and Inc. Magazine.

In addition, Karen has written book proposals, e-books, training advertorials, catalog copy, blogs and marketing and public relations materials for a variety of small businesses and Fortune 500 companies including: Lufthansa Airlines, Marriott Hotels, Banana Republic, American Express and others. She has ghostwritten blogs, e-books and book manuscripts for a wide variety of experts and enterprising clients. She is also a frequent on-air expert on business communications, personal productivity and marketing for radio and television.

In addition, Karen has been hired as a spokesperson for IBM, Apple Computer, Bank of America, John Hancock and more. Ms. Leland's spokesperson projects on behalf of her clients have involved giving keynote speeches, workshops and radio and television interviews, presenting at trade shows and conferences and meeting with members of the press.

In addition to her work in the business world, Karen has a lifelong commitment to the arts. Her paintings, prints and photography have been shown in the Sausalito Art Festival, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, The American Craft Council Show and the Celebration of Craftswomen.

She has intensively studied a number of learning/communication methodologies and has extensive training or certification in neuro linguistic programming, action learning, acting for public speaking, and quality improvement/continuous improvement.