Karen Murrell is founder and president of Higher Heights Consulting and Training„Ÿa consulting firm based in Silver Spring, MD that assists clients to develop programs, products, and policies that improve the financial well-being of all Americans. As president, Ms. Murrell brings more than 15 years of leadership and hands-on experience in the housing and financial services industry. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, and private foundations. Previously, Ms. Murrell served as a Senior Research Fellow at the New America Foundation, where she explored policy solutions to improve financial services and financial education. Prior to founding Higher Heights Consulting and Training, Ms. Murrell held leadership positions at Fannie Mae, where she launched initiatives to increase homeownership for low- and middle-income Americans. She was instrumental in implementing a national public education advertising campaign to increase homeownership. The campaign provided information to more than one million consumers each year and provided information in nine different languages. Ms. Murrell is co-author of You and Your Money: A No Stress Guide to Becoming Financially Fit. Published by Financial Times Press, this book examines how societal change is rapidly impacting personal finances and identifies character traits of financially savvy people. Ms. Murrell has also developed several financial education publications for corporate clients and has developed financial publications in multiple languages. Ms. Murrell is a sought-after speaker and has appeared on national media outlets such as CBS MarketWatch and the Oprah and Friends XM radio show, as well as local news outlets. She serves on the board of CAAB (Capitol Area Asset Builders) and on the Board of Advisors for Topics Education. She received a master's degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland and a bachelor's degree in Communications from Temple University. In her spare time, she enjoys running, tennis, and skiing.