Karen E. Mangia commenced her career in technology at AT&T as a Customer Project Manager.  During her tenure there, she was promoted to Voice Account Manager and then Data/IP Major Account Manager. She culminated her AT&T career as a Client Business Manager, specializing in executive positioning, relationship development, strategy development and execution.  Based on her achievements, Karen was the recipient of numerous corporate awards, and was also featured in the Indianapolis Business Journal in 2002.

In early 2005, Karen joined Cisco Systems in Indianapolis as the Commercial Regional Manager. She led a large team of sales and technical professionals to record 42% Y/Y growth.  Karen also brought focus to improving partner relationships and bringing new partners to the state.  She significantly invested in the Cisco Networking Academy program and organized a Cisco Civic Council chapter in the state focused on philanthropy and giving back to the community.  As a result Indiana based employees are active with Junior Achievement, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army.

Karen is currently the Senior Manager leading Cisco’s Partner Experience initiative, a key component of Cisco’s three to five year vision for transforming channel partner (Value Added Reseller) relationships and performance.  Her global, cross-functional team continues to deliver a more seamless, personalized experience for partners through creative use of virtual resources, collaborative tools and a common business architecture.

Karen is a native Hoosier with a passion for growing technology people and practices in the state.  She completed her undergraduate work at Ball State University in International Business and Broadcast Telecommunications with a minor in Spanish.  She then earned a Masters of Science degree from the Center for Information and Communication Sciences at Ball State University in addition to an Associates Degree in Hospitality Administration/Culinary Arts from Ivy Tech Community College.

Aside from her professional achievements, Karen is an avid volunteer, maintaining board positions with the Ball State University Miller College of Business Alumni Board, Ball State University Center for Information and Communication Sciences Alumni Board, Indiana University CIBER Council, and the International Digital Media Association (iDMA).  She also serves on the Marketing Committee for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.  She founded and Chairs the Student/Alumni Mentor Program at Ball State which connects alums and students for shared learning./  She also founded and chairs INpursuit, which connects Indiana women in high tech careers with high school girls for an e-mentorship relationship.

Karen was featured in Indianapolis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 List in 2008 and as the Ball State University Graduate of the Last Decade (GOLD Award) in 2007.  She was awarded the Center for Information and Communication Sciences’ Alumni of the Decade Award in 2008 following her induction in the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2002.