Karen "KJ" Janowski is partner and cofounder of EcoStrategy Group.
KJ spent more than 25 years in the fast-moving high technology industry honing her skills in what she likes to call "listening to stakeholders." Whether those stakeholders are consumers, businesses, employees, investors, or non-profit organizations, KJ effectively employs a wide range of techniques to understand their needs and perspectives. Building on her extensive business background in market research and analysis, she uses both qualitative and quantitative research techniques and is a skilled interviewer and facilitator.
In her previous life, KJ was responsible for launching over 30 products which generated over $500 million in revenue. This taught her how to orchestrate cross-functional resources and to connect the dots between activities and business results.
KJ has written articles, white papers and blog posts on a wide range of sustainability and communications topic. Her work with EcoStrategy Group has included strategic planning, stakeholder research, employee education programs, and development of a "green guide" for business operations.
KJ serves on the leadership team of GreenTown Los Altos, nonprofit organization promoting sustainability, and a business team mentor for the California Clean Tech Open business plan competition. Her interest in sustainability dates back to the first Earth Day in 1970, when she was inspired to help establish and run a recycling center at her high school.
KJ earned a BS from the University of California at Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford University. She has continued her education with environmental studies coursework at De Anza Community College, extension courses from U.C. Berkeley and change agent training by sustainability guru, Alan AtKisson. She is a member of the Business Council on Climate Change and Sustainable Silicon Valley.