Karen van Bergen

Karen van Bergen is CEO of Omnicom Public Relations Group with responsibility for all public relations and public affairs firms within Omnicom, encompassing 11 brands including three of the industry’s top global agencies. She has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Karen has been recognized with myriad awards including PRWeek PR Professional of the Year, Ad Age “Woman to Watch,” New York Business Journal “Woman of Influence” and the ICCO Hall of Fame.

Karen van Bergen brings nearly 30 years of agency- and client-side experience to her role as CEO of Omnicom Public Relations Group. She holds responsibility for all public relations and public affairs firms within Omnicom, encompassing more than 6,000 employees. Karen drives the strategy for Omnicom Public Relations Group, focused on Omnicom’s strategic growth areas including talent, innovation and collaboration. Prior to Omnicom Public Relations Group, Karen served as CEO of global public relations agency Porter Novelli. Over a three year period, Karen led the agency on a path of significant transformation—marked by growth and award-winning work, and capped by recognition as a 2014 PRWeek Best Place to Work—a result of her steadfast focus on talent. She served as managing director of Porter Novelli’s New York office from 2011-2012. Before Porter Novelli, Karen spent four years at FleishmanHillard, most recently as senior partner, senior vice president and global lead for OneVoice, an integrated Omnicom team serving Royal Philips Electronics. Working in-house, Karen served two stints with McDonald’s in Europe and Asia totaling more than 13 years; she also worked with The Coca-Cola Company and Outboard Marine Corporation. Karen was named 2016 PRWeek PR Professional of the Year–Agency and a 2016 “Woman of Influence” by New York Business Journal in addition to being named to the 2016 PRWeek Hall of Femme and PRWeek Power List in 2013, 2014 and 2015. She is a founding member of Omniwomen, which aims to grow the number of female leaders throughout Omnicom.