Karen Maples is the founder and president of Myutiq, an innovation strategy consulting firm. Recognized as a thought leader and accomplished strategy expert, Ms. Maples established the company because of her passion to help companies build innovation capacity for long-term viability and growth. Ms. Maples is the co-creator of The Pursuit of UniquenessSM and DIVERGESM, methodologies that help clients create a repeatable innovation process as well as develop the leadership skills needed for innovation to flourish. She is the force behind Myutiq’s blog, www.myutiqblog.com to explore innovation in new ways, bringing fresh insights and resources to the attention of her readers.
Ms. Maples has written extensively about innovation for a variety of publications including Wire Rope Exchange, SmartCEO and Enterprising Women. She is on the Editorial Board for Quantum Leaps Roadmap to 2020, and was a contributor to the groundbreaking 2010 release of “Roadmap to 2020 – Fueling the Growth of Women’s Enterprise Development.” Recent articles include “The Dynamic of Innovation in Growing Your Business” and “Challenge for Thought” about open innovation platforms.
Ms. Maples is deeply dedicated to working on global issues impacting women’s leadership and entrepreneurship. She is a founding member of Meridian International’s Council on Women’s Leadership. As the Technology Chair, she provided significant direction in the launch of the Council’s international knowledge network. She is a member of the Global Brain Trust of Quantum Leaps, an international network of leaders focused on advancing women’s entrepreneurship worldwide. Ms. Maples is a founder of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, and served two terms as President. She is a national founding partner of Women Impacting Public Policy and currently on its Executive Advisory Board. She was instrumental in the creation of WIPP’s Economic Blueprint, and continues to serve on the Economic Blueprint Advisory Council. She also worked with WIPP’s Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Awards, delivering her program “Profitable Business Design” to the winners in preparation for their work with WIPP mentors.
Ms. Maples was recognized by Enterprising Women Magazine as one of the top women entrepreneurs in North America for 2010. She holds a B.B.A. and M.B.A. from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her post-graduate studies include strategic planning and marketing strategy at Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
