Karen Allen

Senior writer, editor and communications consultant with 25 years of experience leading corporate and internal communications, training and change management initiatives for both government and businesses. Combines the strategic insight of a communications leader with the adult education expertise of a certified success coach to design and deliver impactful training programs and communication strategies. Extensive experience advising executives, creating editorial standards and high-quality content, and collaborating with stakeholders to improve business communication, audience engagement and results. Passionate about helping mission-driven organizations motivate employees and serve the public.

• Souci du détail
• Communication bilingue
• Communication
• Anglais
• Français
• Google Workspace
• Leadership
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Word
• Sens de l’organisation
• Résolution de problèmes
• Gestion de projet
• Assurance qualité
• Travail d’équipe
• Gestion du temps

1. CEO, Coach and Trainer

   Karen Strang Allen Consulting Inc.

   janv. 2019 to juill. 2026

   • Founded and led a multiple 6-figure private coaching, education and digital content business, focusing on personal change management, mindset coaching, and success training for women in transition. • Designed and delivered highly rated courses, coaching programs, workshops, and webinars, consistently achieving paid client attendance rates averaging 85% and annual client satisfaction ratings of 90–95%. • Delivered live training publicly to thousands of women, both in-person and online. • Provided transformational empowerment coaching to hundreds of clients across North America. • Published a weekly newsletter and thought leadership articles for an audience of more than 5,000 subscribers, consistently achieving an open rate of 35%—well above typical email marketing benchmarks. • Ran social media campaigns, ads and marketing funnels to generate audience engagement and leads.

2. Lead Technical Writer (contract)

   Inspectorate, Health Canada

   mai 2018 to déc. 2018

   • Rewrote and restructured several business process documents in plain language, making processes simpler and easier to understand to improve consistency of results.

3. Change Management Consultant

   Public Services & Procurement Canada

   nov. 2016 to nov. 2017

   • Consulted with regions and developed a change management and communications plan to help PSPC manage the transition from one document management system (EDRM) to another (GCDOCS). • Developed a GCDOCS training and coaching plan and learning paths for 12,000 PSPC employees. • Wrote many change management communications materials using ADKAR change management principles to encourage employee adoption of new digital tools.

4. Technical Writer & Trainer (contract)

   Inspectorate, Health Canada

   avr. 2015 to août 2016

   • Developed a project plan for senior managers with strategic recommendations on how to better convey complex information in a way that meets international best practices. • Developed and delivered 36 hours of plain language training for staff. • Developed editorial style guidelines and templates to improve consistency and quality of documents. • Rewrote hundreds of pages of highly technical regulatory content in plain language. • Led team of 5 technical writers and edited over 1,000 pages of their content. • Edited the Inspectorate’s annual report and helped improve visual layout for better usability.

5. Information Architect (contract)

   PWGSC

   mars 2014 to déc. 2014

   • Created information architecture and content map for Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Chief Information Office, and for the Information Management Directorate. • Consolidated 3 large websites into 1 information management/records management portal. • Presented information management plan to multiple stakeholder groups to gain consensus. • Wrote and edited 100 pages of content in plain language.

6. Senior Web Writer (contract)

   Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

   févr. 2013 to mars 2013

   • Created information architecture and content map for Canadian Coast Guard public website (used by nearly 1 million visitors). • Gained consensus on information management plan from multiple business lines. • Helped reduce number of pages by over 50%, in accordance with new TBS guidelines. • Wrote and edited 85 pages of content for Coast Guard website. • Incorporated principles of search engine optimization (SEO) and usability on all pages.

7. Senior Web Writer (contract)

   Fisheries and Oceans (DFO)

   août 2012 to janv. 2013

   • Wrote and edited key landing pages in plain language for public-facing DFO website, to conform with new Treasury Board guidelines and templates for SEO, accessibility and usability. • Provided information architecture advice to senior management on content organization. • Studied user analysis to ensure key tasks (millions of transactions/year) could be performed easily.

8. Senior Web Strategist and Writer (contract)

   Transport Canada (TC)

   mai 2012 to mars 2013

   • Wrote and edited 100 pages of plain language content for myTC intranet site. • Provided information architecture advice on content organization to management. • Developed a writing and editing guide for consistent style and quality assurance.

9. Senior Web Writer (contract)

   Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

   oct. 2010 to mars 2012

   • Created information management plan, information architecture, and content map for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship website. • Gained consensus on information management plan from multiple business lines and programs. • Wrote and edited 130 pages of plain language content.

10. Senior Communications Consultant (contract)

    Health Canada

    févr. 2009 to juill. 2012

    • Wrote change management communications plans and products for two Health Canada branches to communicate Deficit Reduction Action Plan budget cuts to employees. • Wrote Health Canada’s Consumer Information Strategy and work plan spreadsheet. • Wrote A Clear Message, an 80-page writing and publishing guide, focusing on plain language techniques. • Created content maps for Health Canada’s new “Healthy Canadians” consumer safety web portal. • Led the editorial planning, writing, editing, and quality assurance of 200 plain language website pages. • Developed easier-to-understand risk communication web templates. • Wrote research papers on social media, SEO, and consumer information best practices.

11. CEO and Communications Strategist

    The Written Edge

    janv. 2009 to déc. 2018

    • Provided strategic planning, project management, marketing and communications, writing and content creation, and editorial oversight services to government and business clients. • Produced clear, accessible and compelling web and print content for diverse audiences. • Managed teams of writers, graphic designers, web developers, translators, printers and other contractors to provide full-service communication solutions for clients. • Earned many client testimonials for high-quality products and services (please see Appendix).

12. Manager, Internal Communications

    Industry Canada

    août 2004 to oct. 2005

    • Managed a team of 5 employees to provide corporate communications for 6,000 employees. • Created an international award-winning online employee newsletter through audience research, stakeholder consultations, editorial planning, redesign, and marketing. • Supported Deputy Minister and senior government officials by providing strategic advice, developing an employee outreach strategy, communication plans, memos and newsletter articles for high-profile events. • Provided media relations and strategic communications advice to Human Resources management. • Won an award for improving the department’s Public Service Survey results (achieving a 67.4% response rate, surpassing our target of 60% and placing 7th in overall Government of Canada ratings). • Initiated a popular series of policy web articles to help employees understand the big picture at Industry Canada and improve corporate outcomes. Also wrote a feature interview article on Minister Emerson. • Launched an advisory committee, created a list of best practices, and gave presentations on employee communications to branches throughout the department.

13. Team Leader, Corporate & Internal Communications

    Justice Canada

    nov. 2002 to août 2004

    • Supervised a team of 3 communication advisors to provide communications for 5,000 employees. • Managed projects and coordinated publishing and translation contracts. • Provided strategic communications advice to senior management. • Wrote press releases, backgrounders and fact sheets to explain the government’s position on the complicated Firearms scandal to the public. • Rewrote the department’s Report on Plans and Priorities to make it easier for the public to understand. • Wrote and edited communication plans and products (e.g. fact sheets, articles, memos to staff). • Won 2 work excellence awards.

14. Project Manager

    Imatics Inc. (private web development company)

    sept. 2001 to nov. 2002

    • Successfully project managed the creation of websites for Health Canada, Justice Canada, the Ottawa Dragon Boat Race Festival, and a joint online course registration system for 3 universities. • Conducted audience research, assessed client needs and wrote proposals, project requirements, information management plans, user guides and project budgets. • Conducted quality assurance (QA) and ensured on-time, on-budget delivery. • Wrote analytical reports, user guides, information architecture plans, and website content for the Canada Student Loans Program, National Crime Prevention Centre, and Canadian Centre for Management Dev’t. • Taught a public sector course on website usability testing. • Wrote 2 proposals that won the company large contracts.

15. Website Editor, Global Operations

    Nortel Networks

    févr. 2000 to août 2001

    • Led a team of communications and design contract workers. • Project managed the redesign of a 1,500-page website in 6 weeks. • Edited all content for Global Operations site and wrote content as required. • Provided strategic communications advice to management. • Helped write a marketing brochure and plan town halls and teleconferences. • Created a style guide to ensure consistency in content development.

16. Technical Writer

    Nortel Networks

    avr. 1999 to févr. 2000

    • Wrote and edited technical documentation and website material. • Received two awards for work excellence.

17. Teaching Assistant

    Capital News Online, Carleton University

    janv. 1998 to janv. 1999

    • Developed online journalism teaching materials. • Gave tutorials on digital camera use and photography. • Coordinated image layout for online news publication.

18. Sports Editor & Editor-in-Chief

    The Aquinian, St. Thomas University

    janv. 1993 to janv. 1996

    • Wrote, edited and published a bi-weekly newspaper for 2,000 students. • Managed a team of 10 writers, editors, photographers, and graphic designers. • Oversaw the transition of the newspaper from print to digital format. • Managed financial budget, advertising, and print contracts, reporting to the board of directors.

19. Editor-in-Chief

    The Tatler, Tantramar High School

    janv. 1991 to janv. 1992

    • Wrote, edited and published a monthly publication in print magazine format for 600 students. • Managed a team of 20 writers, photographers, and collaborators.

1. Carleton University

   Master of Journalism, Journalism

   Ottawa, ON

   A average

2. St. Thomas University

   Bachelor of Arts, French Honours

   Fredericton, NB

• Certified Hypnotherapist

  MindValley

• Jack Canfield Certified Success Trainer

• Certified Assertiveness Coach

  Doreen Virtue