Karen Witherspoon is a dynamic HR consultant, executive coach, and leadership trainer based in Hampton, Virginia. Raised locally alongside her twin sister, Karen’s early life was marked by a blend of creativity, curiosity, and a passion for helping others—a theme that has carried through her entire career. She is a proud graduate of Radford University, where she earned her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in elementary and special education, and later completed her master’s degree online at Liberty University, intentionally choosing a program that allowed her to integrate her strong faith with her professional pursuits.
Karen’s professional journey began with aspirations to teach, but when the job market proved challenging, she pivoted to the corporate world, joining Enterprise Rent-A-Car. What started as a temporary role blossomed into a 25-year career, during which she rose from management trainee to running HR for the state of Virginia. Her time at Enterprise honed her expertise in leadership, training, and people development, and established her reputation as a trusted advisor and problem-solver.
After leaving corporate America, Karen embraced entrepreneurship, founding her own consulting and coaching practice. She specializes in HR consulting—often called in to resolve complex employee relations issues (“dumpster fires”), develop policies, and guide organizations through change. Her client base is diverse, including local governments, school systems, nonprofits, architectural firms, mental health organizations, and small businesses. Notable clients include An Achievable Dream, Consociate Media, Grove Christian Outreach Center, Guernsey Tingle, Mocktails, Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, Summit Christian Academy, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, Virginia Living Museum, and several government contractors.
Karen is deeply committed to leadership development and executive coaching, working with individuals and groups to unlock their potential, foster emotional intelligence, and achieve meaningful balance in their lives. She is certified in emotional intelligence 360 assessments and DISC, and is known for her ability to help clients gain self-awareness, set actionable goals, and create lasting change. Her coaching style is supportive yet direct, focusing on personal growth, behavioral change, and practical results.
A sought-after speaker and trainer, Karen delivers engaging workshops and keynotes on topics such as personal branding, extreme ownership, trust and high-performance teams, servant leadership, behavioral interviewing, employee engagement, and strategic planning. She is known for her motivational “spark”—her ability to inspire audiences with memorable one-liners, actionable takeaways, and a genuine passion for helping others grow.
Karen is actively involved in her community, supporting organizations like United Way and the Virginia Living Museum, and has a long history of board service and volunteer leadership with groups such as Susan G. Komen and the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. She is a regular presence at local business and HR organizations, including the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).Outside of work, Karen is an early-morning fitness enthusiast, avid reader, paddleboarder, and dog lover. She values time with her family, especially her daughter and her beloved dogs, and enjoys crafting and exploring new interests. Karen’s approach to life and work is grounded in her faith, her commitment to lifelong learning, and the belief—instilled by her parents—that she can achieve anything she sets her mind to, as long as she is helping others along the way.
Karen Witherspoon is, above all, a catalyst for growth—a spark that helps individuals and organizations ignite their potential and thrive.
Elevate Leadership LLC 