Karen Kerrigan

For nearly thirty years, Karen Kerrigan’s leadership, advocacy, and training work have helped foster U.S. entrepreneurship and global business growth. She serves as President and CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council), where she is the organization’s chief advocate for its members. In January 2024, Kerrigan received certification as a Health and Wellness Coach.

Kerrigan regularly testifies before the U.S. Congress on a wide range of issues impacting entrepreneurs, startups, investment, and the economy. She has been appointed to numerous federal advisory boards, including the National Women’s Business Council, the U.S.-Iraq Business Dialog, the U.S. Treasury’s Taxpayer Advisory Panel, and the National Advisory Committee for Labor Provisions of U.S. Free Trade Agreements.

She frequently engages with the President’s Cabinet and senior administration officials, and has led or participated in roundtables at White House economic summits and events hosted by the Small Business Administration, U.S. Treasury Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal agencies. Widely respected within the business and policy community, Kerrigan has led numerous coalitions and initiatives in collaboration with diverse partners and organizations.

Throughout her career, she has served on advisory bodies including NAWBO’s Advisory Council, Verizon’s Consumer Advisory Board, and the Domenici-Rivlin Debt Reduction Task Force. She also serves on the board of the Vienna Business Association—where she chairs the Health, Wellness, and Fitness Committee—and the Bayh-Dole Coalition.

A prolific writer and commentator, Kerrigan has authored hundreds of op-eds and newspaper columns and frequently appears on national television and radio programs. She is a regular guest on Fox Business, offering analysis and commentary on economic trends, market drivers, and the outlook for entrepreneurship and small business growth.