Karina Edwards

Karina Edwards

Contact Me

Text or call me 509-675-6331
Email Me karina.v.edwards@gmail.com Linkedin LinkedIn

Chief of Staff | Executive Business Partner

Senior Executive Assistant and Operations Leader with 11+ years of experience supporting C‑suite executives, boards, founders, and global stakeholders in high‑growth, high‑stakes environments. Known for strong ownership, sound judgment under pressure, and the ability to design and scale operational systems where none previously existed.
Proven partner to CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and Boards across investment management, sustainability, manufacturing, and global event platforms. Frequently trusted to step beyond formal scope to stabilize operations during periods of change, layoffs, IPO activity, and rapid growth. Equally effective as a senior EA, Chief of Staff–style partner, or Director of Operations, combining tactical execution with strategic thinking.
Recognized for discretion with highly confidential information, ability to anticipate risk before it escalates, and for building repeatable processes that allow leaders to focus on decision‑making rather than logistics.

Professional Experience

Senior Conference & Events Manager - Family Office University Network (non-profit)

Coordinate executive-level investor forums at Oxford, Stanford, and NYU for global Single-Family Offices. Provide end-to-end planning, logistics, and stakeholder support to ensure high-touch experiences and seamless execution.

Key Responsibilities:
• Managed planning, scheduling, and logistics for multi-day events involving C-level participants, keynote speakers, and sponsors across international time zones.
• Directed the event’s online platform, streamlining registration, curating agendas, securing speakers, and overseeing real-time content and live digital operations to ensure a seamless attendee experience.
• Supported sponsorship acquisition and managed communication with high-net-worth families.
• Arranged international travel, lodging, and on-site hospitality for VIP attendees, ensuring smooth executive experiences from arrival to departure.
• Maintained strict confidentiality in all communications with high-net-worth stakeholders, fostering long-term trust and professional relationships with Single Family Offices, ensuring confidentiality and repeat participation.

Director of Operations – i(x) Net Zero, PLC – Seattle, WA / Remote

Provide chief-of-staff level support to the CEO, CIO, COO, and CFO at a boutique investment firm, managing daily operations and high-level executive communications. Oversee internal and external coordination, including calendar scheduling, meeting logistics, corporate event planning, and board communications for 100+ shareholders. Support financial analysis, accounting workflows, HR function, and confidential decision-making processes across the leadership team.

Key Responsibilities:
• Directed executive and operational planning for annual Board meetings and leadership off-sites, managing $250K+ in budgets and vendor coordination.
• Supported C-executives with complex calendar coordination, international travel planning, expense reporting, and preparation for financial audits and Board/committee meetings.
• Assisted executive team in operationalizing internal accounting systems (BILL), including scheduling rollout meetings, training coordination, and expense workflows.
• Led executive-level coordination and communication for a company-wide ESG initiative, including scheduling cross-functional meetings, preparing board-ready sustainability reports, and supporting the development of strategic materials for GHG emissions and PRI disclosures.

Branch General Manager – Meteors Chemicals Co.

Launched and scaled the company’s Russian branch from the ground up, managing all operational areas including finance, logistics, sales, reporting, and client relations. Delivered hands-on leadership while supporting strategic executive decisions through reporting and system improvements.

Key Responsibilities:
• Launched the company’s Russian branch from the ground up, providing executive-level oversight across accounting, sales, logistics, and stakeholder communications while managing a 12-person team.
• Built and maintained long-term client relationships across 70+ accounts, managing executive communications and securing long-term sales agreements in a competitive international market.
• Oversaw financial and operational growth, scaling annual revenue to $1.44M+ and providing executive reporting that helped position the branch as one of the company’s top performers globally.
• Planned and executed the company’s participation in international corporate exhibitions, including multiple years at RosUpack (Moscow) and SinoCorrugated (Shanghai), managing booth design, vendor coordination, and global logistics.
• Spearheaded development of an internal management and reporting system, improving executive visibility, enabling remote coordination, and streamlining reporting processes.
• Simplified and standardized financial and operational reporting, enabling leadership to make faster, data-driven decisions.

Project Manager – GooseWorks

Coordinate a portfolio of multiple projects for the boutique branding and web design studio. Handle key aspects of the project lifecycle, from pre-development through project execution and account maintenance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Focused on content management, overseeing the structuring, categorization, and optimization of digital assets.
• Maintained project documentation, coordinated file organization, and streamlined workflows to enhance team efficiency for key projects, including:
– Worth & Worth Hatshop
– SEENA Magowitz Foundation
– SBP Homes

Deputy Executive Manager – Naaykens' Luchttechnische Apparatenbouw B.V.

Managed key aspects of large-scale agreements totaling approximately $1.8M for a Netherlands-based company, ensuring seamless execution of international transactions and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Played a crucial role in facilitating multi-party agreements, while working in a multilingual environment (German, English, and Russian) to effectively communicate with international partners, clients, and regulatory bodies.

Key Responsibilities:
• Managed and maintained technical documentation in German, English, and Russian, verifying accuracy, compliance with industry standards, and alignment with contractual terms.
• Prepared and processed customs documentation in multiple languages, ensuring adherence to international trade regulations while mitigating risks associated with cross-border transactions.
• Coordinated international shipments, overseeing logistics, tracking deliveries, and troubleshooting delays to ensure timely and cost-effective fulfillment.