Fairygodboss Of The Week: Karen Cahn

Karen Cahn

Karen Cahn

Karen Cahn

Fairygodboss
Fairygodboss
Karen Cahn is a dynamic, razor-sharp, generous and fun lady who has build an amazing community in vProud.tv. This early Google employee turned entrepreneur has great advice for young women about how to establish themselves and build their brand.

Fairygodboss of the Week: Karen Cahn
CEO and Founder, vProud.tv
New York, NY

FGB: Tell us about your career. How did you get to where you are now?

KC: I was an early Google employee where I spent 10 years leading various monetization teams in search, display and video. From 2011-2014, I served as General Manager of AOL Original Video, and was responsible for business strategy and strategic partnerships. In this role, I built AOL’s female creative economy in video and as a result, launched Emmy and Webby-nominated series with Nicole Richie, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tiffany Shlain, iJustine, and other female creators. Prior to AOL, I spent ten years at Google and YouTube, where I held various leadership roles in video, search and display advertising. Most notably, I co-founded the Branded Entertainment business at YouTube, where I brokered deals with big brands and creators. I am on the board of advisors of Girl Rising, an organization dedicated to girl’s education in developing countries. I am also on the Springboard Media Council, a highly respected group of experts across the world of digital media, TV, advertising and other media verticals who invest their “human capital” in driving an investment pipeline of high growth, women-led companies.

FGB: What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

KC: I recognized that there was something missing in the world of digital video -  safe video-based communities - so I created it myself with VProud.tv and VCommunity.  VProud is a video-based conversation platform built by women for women to enable safe, open and honest conversations.

VCommunity is a video blogging platform that lives on your brand's website, enabling your customers to have an immersive and fun video content experience.  VCommunity allows brands to license our platform to create online communities that live on their own website.

Lightning Round:

FGB: What do you do when you’re not working?

KC: When not working, I can be found in my kitchen in Montclair, NJ baking Toll House cookies with my kids (because there is no substitute for Toll House), or outside doing something sporty like coaching my daughter’s softball team, playing golf, yoga, tennis, tetherball, or any sport involving a ball and maybe a bat.

FGB: Who is your Fairygodboss?

KC: Suzie Reider from YouTube.  She was a total GSD who was also raising two kids.  She is totally innovative, creative and scrappy.  She believed wholeheartedly in making her customers happy and instilled that in her staff. Suzie set a great example by working hard and being extremely open and honest about the challenges of being a successful working parent.  

FGB: What is the #1 career tip you'd like to share?

KC: Be respectful to your boss and don't act entitled.  Early in your career, commit to being a hard worker.  Work long hours and stay late.  Become completely invested in a project.  If you are passionate about your work, it will be clear to everyone around you.   Make mistakes and own up to the mistakes then fix them. Don't blame others. Commit to making your boss and colleagues look great. Care about your reputation and what your colleagues think of you.

Fairygodboss

Fairygodboss is all about women helping other women - so each week, we celebrate a woman who made a difference in another woman’s career. Is there a woman who has made a difference in your career? 
Celebrate her and thank her by nominating her here.