Karen Kirkwood
Partner + COO at Ascendant Network- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Susan MacDermid
I have consulted with Karen for 12 years, in her roles as a management accountant, CFO, and business consultant. During that time she has provided me with excellent business, financial, and accounting advice. Karen has exceptional business acumen, plays a key role in strategic decisions, is deeply analytical, and is well versed in business modeling. She excels at building tools, teams, and processes that manage annual and long-term financial performance. She develops forecasts, tracks actuals to forecast, and crucially, performs analyses that underpin actionable recommendations a CFO or CEO can utilize to achieve both strategy and budget. I highly recommend her and her work.
Susan MacDermid
I have consulted with Karen for 12 years, in her roles as a management accountant, CFO, and business consultant. During that time she has provided me with excellent business, financial, and accounting advice. Karen has exceptional business acumen, plays a key role in strategic decisions, is deeply analytical, and is well versed in business modeling. She excels at building tools, teams, and processes that manage annual and long-term financial performance. She develops forecasts, tracks actuals to forecast, and crucially, performs analyses that underpin actionable recommendations a CFO or CEO can utilize to achieve both strategy and budget. I highly recommend her and her work.
Susan MacDermid
I have consulted with Karen for 12 years, in her roles as a management accountant, CFO, and business consultant. During that time she has provided me with excellent business, financial, and accounting advice. Karen has exceptional business acumen, plays a key role in strategic decisions, is deeply analytical, and is well versed in business modeling. She excels at building tools, teams, and processes that manage annual and long-term financial performance. She develops forecasts, tracks actuals to forecast, and crucially, performs analyses that underpin actionable recommendations a CFO or CEO can utilize to achieve both strategy and budget. I highly recommend her and her work.
Susan MacDermid
I have consulted with Karen for 12 years, in her roles as a management accountant, CFO, and business consultant. During that time she has provided me with excellent business, financial, and accounting advice. Karen has exceptional business acumen, plays a key role in strategic decisions, is deeply analytical, and is well versed in business modeling. She excels at building tools, teams, and processes that manage annual and long-term financial performance. She develops forecasts, tracks actuals to forecast, and crucially, performs analyses that underpin actionable recommendations a CFO or CEO can utilize to achieve both strategy and budget. I highly recommend her and her work.
Experience
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Ascendant Network
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United States
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Professional Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Partner + COO
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Nov 2013 - Present
Ascendant is home to two distinct communities, Digital Ascendant + Retail Ascendant, and has become the clear and distinguished leader in accelerating the rise of exceptional marketing and retail change agents. Forbes has recognized Ascendant`s semi-annual get-togethers as “Top 5” conferences since 2016. Karen’s proud to be part of an agile management team that steadily optimizes the business model, product, pricing, marketing, and channel. She’s passionate about helping people work smarter, not harder – advice she continues to share both with her team and with community members. Show less
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Edge Steel
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Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
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VP Operations
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Aug 2011 - Dec 2013
Oversee operations with a focus on strategic growth. Marketing/CRM; all aspects of accounting & finance, including budgets, business plans and all financial reporting. Oversee operations with a focus on strategic growth. Marketing/CRM; all aspects of accounting & finance, including budgets, business plans and all financial reporting.
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NDS Group
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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
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COO
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Apr 2003 - Jun 2010
Identified and implemented effective operational and marketing strategies to achieve management objectives in an ever-changing industry. Managed the financial affairs of the group, including maximizing cash flow and available credit to fund growing annual revenues and rapid growth. Identified and implemented effective operational and marketing strategies to achieve management objectives in an ever-changing industry. Managed the financial affairs of the group, including maximizing cash flow and available credit to fund growing annual revenues and rapid growth.
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KMK Systems by Design Inc
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Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
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President
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May 2002 - Mar 2003
Management consulting & business development services, including Strategic Planning Sessions and Client Advisory Boards. Management consulting & business development services, including Strategic Planning Sessions and Client Advisory Boards.
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Lake & Associates
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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
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COO, Partner
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Nov 1989 - May 2002
Developed and oversaw the implementation of marketing, business development and operational strategies to achieve the firm’s vision. Advised SME's on financial, operational and tax strategies, with a focus on business development and growth. Designed and documented systems, procedures & policies to minimize training and maximize firm value, resulting in increased gross profit, reduced partner involvement and the steady growth of new service offerings Developed and oversaw the implementation of marketing, business development and operational strategies to achieve the firm’s vision. Advised SME's on financial, operational and tax strategies, with a focus on business development and growth. Designed and documented systems, procedures & policies to minimize training and maximize firm value, resulting in increased gross profit, reduced partner involvement and the steady growth of new service offerings
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Education
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1987 - 1992
Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada)
CPA, Accounting and Business/Management -
1985 - 1987
Capilano University
Financial Management
Community
