San Francisco, CA – Bridge Partners, an executive search firm with unique expertise in leading an inclusive search process that attracts senior, global, diverse leaders, today announced that Karen Fullerton has joined the firm as a Partner.
With a unique blend of fifteen years of cross-sector executive search experience, Karen has a track record of success leading inclusive senior-level search assignments for market leaders, growth startups and social impact organizations. She recruits senior leaders for Board, CEO, and C / VP level roles across a breadth of functional area.
Prior to Bridge Partners, Karen Co-Founded OpenAccess, a retained executive search and talent advisory firm recruiting inclusive leaders, aligning people with strategy and defining new ways of working. Prior to executive search, Karen held GTM leadership roles with several VC backed tech startups through multiple market cycles in Silicon Valley. She began her career as a Financial Analyst with ABN AMRO in Taipei, Taiwan.
Karen is active in the Bay Area community contributing to the work of CBOs advancing health, wellness, and education for underserved communities including Edible Schoolyard, The San Francisco Arts Education Project (SFArtsED), and Equality California (EQCA).
She received a BA in English from the University of Georgia and completed Stanford University’s Executive Program in Social Entrepreneurship (EPSE). Karen and her wife, Julie, live in San Francisco.
What’s your advice for companies interested in attracting LGBTQ+ leadership talent?
Firstly, an inclusive work culture attracts a universe of talent regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Secondly, partnering with a search firm whose team reflects the multiple identities and lived experiences of the stakeholders, constituencies, and communities you serve is a huge advantage. As trusted advisors and talent scouts, that lived experience offers unique insight, increases collective understanding, and very often reaches talent beyond “the usual suspects”.
Any advice for LGBTQ+ leaders looking to accelerate their careers?
We talk a lot about authentic leadership in contemporary management. As LGBTQ+ leaders, we don’t “come out” once; everytime we enter a new environment or meet new people, we “come out” all over again. Remembering that we have multiple identities helps us “use our full self” as we connect to and influence others. My wife reminds me that “everyone is not just one thing”. Our leadership competencies can be expressed uniquely through the lens of our identities and experiences.
After so many years in executive search, what keeps you excited about your work?
The mission of diversifying the leadership teams of decision-making spaces and places is my north star. Joining Bridge Partners allows me to have greater impact – a larger platform, greater capacity, expanded industry expertise – all supported by a true camaraderie of lovely humans. I’m thrilled to be part of the team!
About Bridge Partners
Founded in 2003 and led by a diverse team of women, BIPOC and LGBT+ leaders, Bridge Partners is a retained executive search firm with an unrivaled track record of guiding and implementing an inclusive search process, centering both our work and our own culture in equity.
With offices in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington DC, our clients include major corporations, nonprofits, the public sector, and social impact organizations across the United States and worldwide. What they have in common is a desire to harness the proven market, talent, and performance advantages of a diverse leadership group and inclusive culture that reflects the world we live in and the constituents they serve.