Karen Bernhard is Chief Data Officer at Citi, where she leads enterprise data strategy and analytics to drive business value and strengthen decision-making across the organization. A results-oriented executive, Karen is known for identifying high-impact opportunities and delivering innovative, analytically rigorous solutions in complex, data-rich environments.
Karen joined Citi in 2020 following senior leadership roles at Citibanamex, where she served as Chief Data Officer and previously as Deputy Chief Data Officer. In these roles, Karen advanced data strategy, governance, and analytics capabilities, helping to embed data-driven approaches across the business.
At Citi, Karen focuses on leveraging data and technology to enable growth, improve efficiency, and enhance risk management. She is recognized for her ability to build alignment across functional boundaries, creating a shared understanding of data and its role in delivering business outcomes.
Karen is known for her leadership in building high-performing teams. She emphasizes clear strategic vision, measurable goals, and a culture of accountability, empowering teams to deliver at pace while maintaining strong analytical discipline.
Her approach combines creativity with execution, ensuring that data initiatives are both innovative and grounded in practical business value.