Karen Schwartz is currently the Global Vice President, Blade Excellence Category at BIC, where she is responsible for category strategy, innovation, brand communications, brand design, portfolio management and consumer insights. Prior to this role, she was Vice President for Global Insights and Innovation for the Blade Excellence and Stationery Categories at BIC, responsible for the 3-year Global Innovation Roadmap.

Before BIC, Karen spent 5 years at Michelin, where she served as the Vice President of Marketing, B2B for Michelin North America, leading a $4B portfolio of brands across seven categories, Global Managing Director for the Digital Services Platform Group, leading a SaaS start-up team and the North American B2B Marketing Director for Michelin’s On-Road Business.

Karen began her career at Procter & Gamble, holding several Brand Management Positions, including Senior Brand Manager for Global Head & Shoulders Innovation, Senior Brand Manager for Secret North America, and Brand Manager for Downy/Lenor Global Innovation. She began her career at P&G as an engineer, designing manufacturing systems for the Liquid Laundry Detergent Business and managing logistics for Clairol North America.

Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University in 2003. In 2009, she earned an MBA from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business. She currently resides in Fairfield, CT, with her husband and daughter. In their free time, they love to travel, cook, and spend time outdoors.