Karen Olick serves as Managing Director at SKDKnickerbocker after working in politics and government for over 25 years, including 11 years as Chief of Staff to Senator Barbara Boxer.  As Chief of Staff, Karen oversaw the Senator’s political and legislative agenda.

At SKDK, Karen has served as a communications strategist to Fortune 500 companies in the technology, energy and education sectors and has worked on major races, including the re-election of Senator Mary Landrieu. As an accomplished political veteran and coalition builder, Karen can help Fortune 500 companies and non-profits achieve their legislative and political goals.

Before joining SKDK, Karen helped elect Senator Boxer to her first term in the Senate in 1992, the now infamous “Year of the Woman,” when no one thought California would elect two Jewish women from San Francisco.

After leaving Senator Boxer’s office, Karen started Americans United for Change, an organization dedicated to building broad public and congressional support for policies to move America in a better direction. Americans United for Change used aggressive earned and paid media outreach, grassroots and online organizing to achieve many legislative successes.

Karen has managed large coalitions and served as the chief strategist to protect social security, promote success in higher education institutions, promote clean energy businesses and fight for tax fairness.

In addition to working for Senator Boxer, Karen has managed and consulted on major campaigns including those of Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, and numerous congressional and mayoral races.