Karen Kim

Karen Kim has been with Marriott for over 35 years, and her current role is the Continent Head, Global Design APEC at Marriott International. She is responsible for design and project management in Asia Pacific Excluding China and also responsible for Interior Design activities for all projects in APAC including China. Responsible for overseeing interior design work of all brands and overseeing monthly continent design review (CDR) with the president of APEC.

Karen joined Marriott International Headquarters in Washington DC in 1988 as Interior Designer, carrying various responsibilities over 25 years before relocating to APAC Hong Kong in 2011. Recently relocated to Singapore, in February 2023, as the Continent Head of Global Design in APEC.

Karen has a responsibility to align with the global brand team of all brands including luxury, premium and selective tiers. Personally responsible for overseeing MILUX projects, The Reserve, Ritz Carlton, SR Regis, W, JW Marriott and Luxury Collection. Over her career at Marriott International, Karen was responsible for overseeing the interior design of over 500 projects, creating a brand’s design visions, creating prototype designs of premium and selective brands and contributing to the rapid growth of the company portfolio.

Karen is currently managing a global design team in 7 different locations, Australia/India/Indonesia/Japan/ Korea/Thailand/Vietnam.

Karen holds a BA from George Washington University and completed the Executive Leadership Education Program at the Aspen Institute in 2015, and Harvard Business School Business Relationship Training in 2016.