Karen Kerrigan
Karen Kerrigan has developed positive relationships with individuals in media, government, policy and advocacy organizations, and the private sector that have led to key reforms and initiatives to help America's entrepreneurial sector. In 1994, Kerrigan founded the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a prominent and respected advocacy and research organization with more than 70,000 members. She is president and CEO of Women Entrepreneurs Inc., a non-profit business association that helps women business owners succeed through education, networking, and advocacy.
Kerrigan regularly testifies before Congress on issues that impact America's entrepreneurial sector. She meets often with delegations from around the world that wish to learn about public policy recommendations that will enhance and sustain entrepreneurial activity. In 2002, she was appointed to serve on the National Women's Business Council and was appointed by the U.S. Treasury Secretary to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. She presented at both Economic Summits hosted by President Bush. She currently serves on the National Advisory Committee for Labor Provisions of U.S. Free Trade Agreements, and has been on the board of CIPE since 2007.
Kerrigan helped construct the Women Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century conferences sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and Small Business Administration. In May 2005, WE Inc. co-sponsored the first Middle East/North Africa Women's Business Summit in Tunis, Tunisia. She has served on the boards of the National Women's Business Center of Washington, D.C., the Business and Industry Political Action Committee, and Americans for Technology Leadership. She chairs the Health Savings Account (HSA) Coalition, which led the drive to enact HSAs.
Her commentary, analysis, and written work have appeared in many of the nation's leading newspapers. Since 1995, she has written a regular column for the American City Business Journals – an influential network of weekly business newspapers in 50 major markets. She writes the Beltway Small Business Report for FoxNews.com.Kerrigan is a native of New York, and holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Cortland College (SUNY). She resides in Oakton, VA.
