BIO
Karen D. Groppe is a strategic communications leader who helps organizations and executives break through the noise, define conversations, and drive meaningful action. With more than 20 years of experience guiding Fortune 10 companies, global trade associations, and healthcare innovators, she crafts bold, high-impact strategies that amplify visibility, shape public perception, and deliver measurable results.
Karen is known for turning complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that resonate across audiences — from policymakers and the media to community partners and customers. She has led media strategies that secured thousands of placements in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Politico, and built executive communications platforms that elevated leaders on global stages, including the World Economic Forum and Aspen Ideas.
A trusted advisor and builder of high-performing teams, Karen blends creativity with strategic precision. She is recognized for her ability to align brand, mission, and voice while navigating complex landscapes and delivering outcomes that last.
Honored as one of PR Daily’s Top Women in Communications, Karen continues to help organizations not just join important conversations — but lead them.
Highlights
Influence and Impact Architect. Spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives on both national and global stages that reshaped public policy, secured market dominance, and elevated executive profiles. Proven in placing organizations at the forefront of pivotal industry dialogues, driving not only participation but definitive leadership in shaping the narrative.
Crisis Resolution Expert. Navigated high-stakes challenges with precision and expertise. Successfully led the cancellation of the world’s largest health tech trade show amid the pandemic, managing the delicate withdrawal of a U.S. presidential address. Secured $150 million in insured revenue recovery while delivering consistent messaging across 28 media interviews within 24 hours, ensuring narrative control and brand integrity.
Advocacy Tactician. Commanded high-impact advocacy initiatives that generated over $2 million in earned media coverage while actively reshaping state and federal public policy. A master at crafting compelling narratives, I rally stakeholders and position organizations as undisputed leaders in policy debates.
Media Relations Visionary. Cultivated strong ties with renowned entities such as The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Politico, Forbes, and Bloomberg. These connections go beyond the surface; they are partnerships established on trust, persistent follow-up, and a dedication to presenting stories that matter.
Master Strategist. Crafted results-driven communications strategies that delivered unparalleled outcomes. Spearheaded the messaging for the world’s largest healthcare technology conference, elevating global engagement and visibility. Championed small businesses by leading advocacy efforts to protect App Store access, driving growth opportunities in competitive markets. Demonstrated expertise in amplifying brand visibility, achieving market penetration, and positioning organizations as leaders in dynamic industries.
Expertise
Experience
KDG Communications
Operating as an embedded executive advisor to CEOs leading media strategy, board communications, and stakeholder engagement for high-impact healthcare and technology organizations.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS CHIEF
Repositions high-credibility organizations with underperforming communications infrastructure designing and executing executive-level strategies that elevate brand visibility, drive stakeholder engagement, and accelerate mission-aligned growth. Clients include Keywell.AI, Surgo Health (Pivotal Ventures, MTV/Showtime-backed) and Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN).
- Pioneered first digital engagement strategy and built the CEO’s inaugural thought leadership platform, positioning as a credible, data-driven voice in national conversations on youth mental health.
- Engineered first-ever media engagement strategy from the ground up, curating precision-targeted media lists, architecting compelling message frameworks, and delivering editorial content that opened doors to top-tier national coverage and reframed the conversation around youth mental health.
- Developed and implemented full-spectrum communications infrastructures, including internal messaging alignment, board strategy, and content development.
- Identified high-value media opportunities aligned with funding cycles, legislative momentum, and public awareness campaigns, resulting in national press coverage and increased public sector investment.
- Supported multimillion-dollar state and federal grant efforts by creating persuasive messaging frameworks and toolkits for outreach teams.
- Directed executive communications and external positioning during organizational inflection points, transforming leadership visibility and public perception.
September 2024 to Present
Wireless Infrastructure Association | Arlington, VA
Representing 134+ cell tower companies and wireless transmission providers
Vice President, Communications
Recruited to build the organization’s first strategic communications and public affairs function during a critical CEO transition.
- Spearheaded a transformative communications strategy that elevated the CEO as a national voice on broadband and 5G policy, securing top-tier media placements (The Washington Post, Politico) and increasing media engagement by 45%.
- Engineered an industry engagement framework that unlocked top policymaker access, securing 15+ Congressional and agency meetings within 60 days.
- Aligned communications across public affairs, member engagement, and regulatory strategy, driving digital infrastructure advocacy and boosting policymaker engagement by 30%.
- Position eliminated following organizational restructuring and shift to tactical communications model.
Feb 2024 to June 2024
ACT | The App Association | Washington, DC
Representing 5000+ small and medium-sized technology companies
Senior Director, Global Communications
Visionary architect of a $6M global communications program for a technology policy trade association backed by Apple, Amazon, and Google. Designed and executed strategies that reshaped the organization’s influence across the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific, driving measurable gains in visibility, policy impact, and member engagement.
- Orchestrated an integrated, enterprise-wide communications strategy that aligned executive thought leadership, public affairs, media relations, and digital advocacy, unifying messaging across global initiatives to elevate brand authority and drive policy impact.
- Directed and scaled public affairs campaigns that delivered 300+ Congressional touchpoints, 50+ legislative briefings, and two Congressional testimonies, positioning the association as a go-to voice in U.S. technology policy. Launched the organization’s first public affairs initiatives in Brussels and Tokyo and expanded advocacy efforts at the state level to influence priority legislation and strengthen relationships with key policymakers.
- Pioneered the organization’s first polling and message-testing program, redesigned the website as a dynamic policy engagement platform, and achieved a 200% surge in social media engagement within six months, dramatically expanding digital advocacy reach.
- Served as the CEO’s chief communications strategist, crafting 100+ speeches, op-eds, and media narratives that secured premium visibility at CES, SXSW, HLTH, and HIMSS, and earned placements in Punchbowl News, The Hill, and other top-tier outlets.
- Revamped media relations to achieve a 250% increase in top-tier coverage, securing first-time placements in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, and Politico, which fueled a 40% rise in member engagement and significantly elevated Capitol Hill visibility.
- Built the organization’s digital communications engine from the ground up, launching its first editorial calendar, transforming its web presence into a strategic advocacy tool, and aligning social media with policy priorities for sustained influence.
- Led and mentored a high-performing team while managing multiple external PR, digital, and research agencies to maximize impact, operational efficiency, and global campaign success.
Nov 2021 to Feb 2024
Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) | Arlington, VA & Chicago, IL
Representing 125,000 individuals, 430+ provider organizations, 500+ nonprofit partners, and 550+ health services organizations committed to global healthcare reform through the power of information and technology.
Senior Director, Strategic Communications (Promoted from Director, Strategic Communications, June 2018)
Directed and transformed global communications for a leading healthcare technology association with 100,000+ members across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. Managed a $15M budget and led a world-class team spanning PR, digital, and brand functions. Promoted to Senior Director.
- Launched and scaled the CEO’s media presence from the ground up, developing the first 90-day round of high-impact speeches, op-eds, and media appearances. Positioned the CEO as a national voice in healthcare technology, resulting in invitations to major policy and innovation forums, elevated funding conversations, and increased executive influence.
- Built and expanded a C-suite thought leadership platform following the CEO’s success. Delivered 100+ speeches, op-eds, and media placements for executive leaders, doubling top-tier coverage, boosting LinkedIn engagement by 45%, and increasing executive speaking engagements by 24% across the leadership team.
- Led engagement strategy for the public policy team to overcome fragmented advocacy efforts. Created content, messaging, and outreach opportunities that advanced legislative priorities, supported Congressional testimonies, and deepened relationships with Capitol Hill offices, federal agencies, and international regulators.
- Engineered a global communications strategy to unify messaging and elevate brand visibility across markets. Increased visibility by 60%, strengthened organizational reputation among stakeholders, and delivered cohesive communications across North America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
- Revamped underperforming media relations to position the organization as a top-tier industry voice. Secured first-time placements in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, and Politico, achieving a 250% increase in top-tier coverage and driving a 40% rise in member engagement.
- Pioneered a scalable, revenue-generating communications model in response to non-dues revenue challenges. Created a $150,000 annual profit stream through innovative press engagement, sponsored content, and member programming that enhanced long-term sustainability.
- Directed crisis communications during a high-stakes global event involving the White House. Executed a rapid-response strategy that secured 28 media placements, recovered $150M in potential losses, and protected the organization’s reputation at a pivotal moment.
Aug 2014 to Nov 2021
Early Career Highlights
Chief Solutions Officer & Founder
Kadie Solutions | Bethesda MD
Principal Consultant, NTT Data Federal Systems, Inc.
Director of Marketing & Communications
Education & Professional Membership
Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations
Member
Results
Earned Media
Every standout media placement starts with a pitch that packs a punch. I craft pitches that are laser- focused—delivering a clear, concise story idea, outlining why it matters, and showing journalists exactly how to bring it to life. I’ve built a reputation as the trusted source for busy reporters, turning strong ideas into powerful media placements with measurable results:
Eclipse visitors should prepare for bad cell service. Here’s how. – The Washington Post
Montana lawmakers vote to completely ban TikTok in the state | CNN Business
What’s the Five Letter Word Your Business Needs the Most? | Forbes
Steele on Manning: ‘He gave no indication he was done playing’ – ESPN Video
Hospitals Turn to Biometrics to Identify Patients – WSJ
HIMSS pushes back its 2021 conference | Modern Healthcare
ACT | The App Association Members Call on Congress to Empower Small Business Innovation and Growth
Going to HIMSS21 in Vegas? Here’s what you need to know | Fierce Healthcare
HIMSS to pay $2.8M to settle class action lawsuit brought by HIMSS20 exhibitors over show fees
Entering Mainstream Conversations
When the 2024 eclipse swept the nation, it was a stellar moment to spotlight how our wireless infrastructure might make—or break—the experience for millions. In a discreet, behind-the-scenes push, we reached out to Washington, DC’s top media, ensuring our association’s CEO was ready to illuminate the conversation.
Showcase Preparedness Through Investment: Emphasize how strategic investments have equipped members to excel during high-demand events like the 2024 eclipse, ensuring robust service and resilience under pressure.
Position the CEO as an Industry Thought Leader: Establish the CEO as the go-to expert, providing insightful commentary that reinforces the association’s leadership and vision in the wireless infrastructure sector.
I executed a low-key, targeted outreach by discreetly pitching top-tier Washington, DC media contacts with a tailored story about how our strategic investments ensure robust performance during high-demand events. I positioned our CEO, Patrick Halley, as the expert voice and made him available for comment—which ultimately led to his feature in the Washington Post.
Conducted 60-minute interview with Shira Ovide Tech in Your Life columnist for The Washington Post.
Secured extensive coverage: Eclipse visitors should prepare for bad cell service. Here’s how. – The Washington Post
Powering Industry Breakthroughs
At the Wireless Infrastructure Association, the government affairs team was up against a significant challenge: breaking through the noise to spotlight the roadblocks in U.S. permitting and showcase the wireless infrastructure industry as a vital economic powerhouse. Partnering closely with the teams from marketing, social media, the state and federal lobbyists, and the organization’s CEO, I led the communications charge, crafting a bold campaign that not only grabbed the attention of the targeted officials and industry leaders but also underscored the industry’s crucial role in the economy, igniting their interest, and pushing the conversation to new heights.
- Secure strategic meetings with the Secretary of Commerce to position our priorities front and center.
- Capture the White House’s attention, igniting discussions on the critical issue of permitting.
- Elevate awareness in the DC policy arena, shining a spotlight on the challenges of permitting.
- Highlight members’ economic contributions, demonstrating their vital role in driving the nation’s economy forward.
Three-pronged campaign approach: Direct engagement with the White House and Department of Commerce, public dialogue on permitting challenges, and highlighting the economic impact of wireless infrastructure providers.
Strategic communications plan: Leveraged outreach to key government offices, secured an exclusive feature with Politico, and launched a dynamic social media campaign focused on the industry’s financial impact.
New resource development: Created By the Numbers, a detailed report on workforce development and wireless connectivity expansion, emphasizing the industry’s economic influence and opportunities at federal and state levels.
Ninety days in, the campaign was connecting:
- Social media engagement skyrocketed by 20%.
- Politico’s Digital Future Daily spotlighted our efforts.
- Our influence was further demonstrated by securing high-stakes meetings at both the White House and Department of Commerce. These meetings underscored the significance of our campaign and its impact on the wireless infrastructure industry.
- Over 1,000 downloads of By the Numbers—the organization’s newly created report on the wireless industry’s economic impact.
As a bonus, the stars (or rather, the sun and moon) aligned during the eclipse! Our social media buzz and press outreach caught The Washington Post’s attention, spotlighting the crucial role of wireless infrastructure in experiencing the historic event. Our CEO took center stage, engaging in an hour-long interview that led to a prominent feature in the printed article, adding a touch of prestige to our campaign.
A Visionary Leader with Limited Visibility
Dr. Denise Hines, the Executive Director of GaHIN, had decades of national credibility in interoperability, yet her leadership was not fully visible within the state’s growing transformation efforts. Her role as the architect of Georgia’s digital infrastructure was underrecognized by policymakers, partner agencies, industry groups, and national conveners.
Position Dr. Hines as Georgia’s leading authority in the healthcare community, both locally and nationally.
- Developed a comprehensive executive visibility strategy that positioned Dr. Hines as the key driver of Georgia’s statewide data and care coordination infrastructure.
- Built thought leadership materials, including keynote themes, conference submissions, and executive briefing documents that tied her work directly to improved outcomes for Georgians.
- Earned Industry Recognition: Earned first-time recognition as Top 10 Minority Executive in Healthcare by Fierce Healthcare.
- Created Demand: Secured invitations to speak at HIMSS26; GaHIMSS Annual Conference; Georgia Department of Health Annual Conference.
Crafting Narratives for Action
Facing a policy storm that could disrupt small app developers and reshape consumer experiences, ACT | The App Association’s key sponsors, Apple and Amazon, rallied against the Open App Markets Act and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act. With privacy and security concerns at stake, the association’s congressional teams joined forces with my team to launch a bold nationwide call to action. Together, we empowered Americans to contact elected officials and advocate for protecting small businesses in the digital economy.
- Create strong objections to the Open App Markets Act and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act so the House can table further proceedings.
- Drive awareness of the small app developer and privacy and security’s role in launching innovations.
- A key part of our strategy is positioning the App Association’s leadership as the foremost experts in the emerging innovation conversation. By showcasing their knowledge and experience, we aim to bolster the credibility of our advocacy efforts.
Our communications team took swift action, conducting a comprehensive national survey to gauge American opinions on technology, privacy, security, and small business.
With these insights, we launched a national ad campaign urging Americans to contact their elected officials. We created the state-targeted concept “Keep Strangers Out of Your Phone,” which links directly to representatives.
We placed media buys in 15 local newspapers, conducted extensive national and state press outreach, and built relationships with local reporters. Our content plan featured association leadership through blogs, statements, and op-eds, while our ongoing social media campaign kept the conversation alive.
- During the summer campaign, the following happened:
- Delivered a $1M advertising campaign, which generated 15,000 downloads.
- We have secured 15 press interviews in local newspapers.
- Association leadership was interviewed on CNN, Politico, and Axios about the impact of privacy and security concerns on small businesses.
- More than 1500 Americans contacted their elected officials through the QR code included in the advertising campaign.
- Social media engagement increased by 11% during the campaign.
Catalyzing Engagement
The IRS has been slow to catch up with health tech innovation, leaving patients without full control over their health. Congress has the power to change that. The Connected Health Initiative (CHI) steering committee and executive director aimed to push for a change in IRS code, ensuring that HSA and FSA accounts could be used to cover wearable health technology.
- Introduce the WEAR IT Act to transform how health wearables are reimbursed through HSAs and FSAs.
- Position Connected Health Initiative as a leading voice in health technology policy.
- Highlight the benefits of wearable health devices in delivering better health outcomes.
After brainstorming with the steering committee and executive director, we kicked off a soft launch campaign on social media and began crafting thought leadership pieces to share with stakeholders and elected officials. We strategically targeted a Washington, DC healthcare reporter known for his interest in our work and influence in the healthcare community.
The CHI Executive Director was interviewed by Politico, emphasizing the importance of reimbursing wearable healthcare through HSAs and FSAs. Our LinkedIn ad campaign took off, securing two new financial partners and boosting followers by 45% during the campaign.
Transforming Technical Credibility into Strategic Visibility
GaHIN had the infrastructure, the data, and the outcomes—but it lacked narrative clarity and visibility in a moment where whole-person care was gaining urgency. Policymakers and partners didn’t see the connection between GaHIN’s backend systems and frontline impact. The communications function needed a reset—from reactive support to strategic driver. I was brought in to reposition GaHIN as not just a tech enabler, but a central force in the future of whole person-centered care.
- Shift the narrative: Rebrand GaHIN’s identity from technical backbone to strategic partner in whole-person, equitable care.
- Engage decision-makers: Build credibility and recognition among state policymakers, Medicaid leaders, and healthcare executives.
- Amplify visibility: Increase earned media, digital engagement, and stakeholder alignment with a strategic comms architecture.
- Institutionalize comms: Create sustainable, scalable communications infrastructure to support long-term influence and organizational growth.
- Message reframing: Led a top-down rearticulation of GaHIN’s value proposition, translating technical language into accessible, policy-relevant messaging that resonated with healthcare leaders, regulators, and funders.
- Flagship newsletter launch: Created The GaHIN Monthly—an original external publication transforming internal updates into strategic storytelling that increased mindshare across Georgia’s health ecosystem.
- Strategic media positioning: Designed a media strategy timed to key Medicaid reform milestones, including press kits, policy-anchored talking points, and proactive outreach to local and trade press.
- Executive alignment: Advised C-suite and Board leadership on comms strategy; developed talking points and engagement tools for interactions with elected officials, funders, and the press.
- Cross-functional integration: Embedded comms into IT, policy, and operations workflows to ensure messages aligned with technical innovation, compliance, and strategic goals.
- Grant-driving visibility: Elevated awareness and cross-sector interest in GaHIN’s role, contributing to the successful procurement of a $3M state grant to scale engagement with community-based organizations.
- Digital momentum: Increased digital engagement by 10% in five months through strategic content, cadence, and channel optimization.
- Communications infrastructure built: Established a foundational comms engine including a messaging library, editorial calendar, stakeholder toolkit, and executive visibility roadmap.
- Board-level credibility: Elevated communications to a strategic business function, now reporting quarterly to GaHIN’s Board of Directors on visibility, influence, and reputational progress.
Building a Communications Engine for National Impact
- Transform insight into impact. Translate complex behavioral data into compelling, actionable narratives that drive media attention, inform policy, and fuel platform engagement.
- Elevate visionary leadership. Position Surgo Health CEO Dr. Sema Sgaier as the national voice for precision public health through media, thought leadership, and speaking platforms.
- Architect for scale. Build a durable, repeatable communications blueprint to support future platform launches, advocacy initiatives, and long-term brand influence.
- Dual-track strategy: Executed a two-pronged plan—product-focused media outreach aligned with policy windows and CEO-centric thought leadership to establish expert authority.
- Narrative engineering: Tied data stories to timely Medicaid policy debates, crafting state-specific insights and emotionally resonant framing for top-tier outlets like The Hill and Politico.
- Owned + earned integration: Built full-stack campaign infrastructure—press releases, social copy, executive quotes, op-ed drafts, landing page content, and email nurture flows.
- Executive platforming: Ghostwrote and pitched compelling POVs for Dr. Sgaier, resulting in secured speaking invitations at ASPEN Ideas Festival, Bipartisan Policy Center, and national roundtables.
- Policy-leveraged materials: Created press kits, issue briefs, and visual summaries optimized for policymaker consumption and journalistic pick-up.
- Media traction: Secured national and regional coverage for ThriveAtlas™, establishing Surgo as a credible, data-backed voice during legislative urgency.
- Thought leadership ROI: Reframed Dr. Sgaier’s profile from founder to field-shaper— breaking through the noise to reach bipartisan, high-impact stages.
- Built to scale: Delivered a replicable comms model that now powers Surgo’s future campaigns, proving the function’s strategic value as both a growth engine and a policy accelerator.
Featured
PR Daily and Ragan Communications Crisis Navigator of the Year
Karen D. Groppe effectively managed the messaging for the first global conference event to be canceled due to the pandemic. This move sparked a parallel task to call off a speech that then-President Donald Trump was scheduled to present at the conference.
Navigating the Unexpected Event, Like a Pandemic
COVID-19 was a black swan event with far-reaching implications that few could have anticipated. Karen Groppe sits down with PR Daily to talk about lessons learned.
Apple Influence on App Association
ACT spokesperson Karen Groppe explains the relationship between Apple and the App Association.
Umm, Someone Has to Tell President Trump
Karen Groppe sits down with Meeting Minds to chat about communications strategic and tactics.