Team Member

Karen R. Jenkins is the dynamic President and CEO of KRJ Consulting, LLC. The organizational growth and human capital consulting firm focuses on transforming people, strengthening cultures, and building leadership capacity. With over 38 years of experience, including serving as a Vice President at NetBank, Karen is a nationally recognized speaker, author, certified coach, and leadership consultant. She’s known for turning potential into performance across both the federal and corporate sectors.

Leadership & Vision

Driven by a passion for leadership and a relentless commitment to helping others thrive, Karen founded KRJ Consulting in 2008. Her dedication paid off. In 2020, the company earned national recognition, landing at #546 on the Inc. 5000 list for its rapid growth. Today, Karen continues to customize KRJ’s services to meet the unique needs of every client. She creates lasting impact through her signature approach: Synergy Leadership.

Synergy Leadership is more than a philosophy. It’s a movement. Karen teaches leaders how to engage, enlighten, and empower their teams by transforming energy into action. Her leadership framework inspires confident decision-making, strategic thinking, and inclusive culture-building at every level of an organization.

Financial Expertise & Publishing

Karen is also a recognized financial expert, having served as a media consultant for NBC affiliate WIS-TV. She authored the book “Nobody Told Me! The Path to Financial Empowerment” in 2010. Her expertise bridges leadership and financial literacy, equipping individuals with the tools to grow both professionally and personally.

Community Leadership

A pillar in the community, Karen made history as the first African American woman to chair the Columbia Chamber of Commerce in its 121-year history. She also serves on the Executive Board of the SC Chamber of Commerce, where she chairs the Small Business Committee. She is also a member of the National Small Business Association Leadership Council.

Dedicated to giving back, Karen leads “Eat, Learn, and Grow,” her signature group mentoring and coaching experience designed to uplift and guide small business leaders.

Education & Credentials

Karen holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from Webster University. During her tenure as Vice President at NetBank, she earned the prestigious Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designations from the National Mortgage Bankers Association. She is also a Certified Housing Counselor, Certified Entrepreneurial Instructor, and Certified Professional Coach.

Personal Life

Above all, Karen is a woman of faith, family, and service. She’s a devoted wife of 35+ years, a proud mother of two, and a community leader who believes in the power of relationships and leading without judgment. Her mission is simple yet powerful: help people, add value, and make a difference.

Additional accolades include:

• 2020 Richland County Library entrepreneur-in-residence
• 2020 Columbia Regional Business Report Icon
• 2019 South Carolina Female Small Business Person of the Year, by the United States Small Business Administration South Carolina District Office
• 2019 Enterprising Women Magazine “A Woman of the Year”
• Graduate of Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Business Program
• Jenkins received her Bachelor of Science degree in business management from the University of South Carolina and completed South Carolina Bankers School before gaining her MBA from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.