The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has named Karen R. Jenkins, CEO of KRJ Consulting, LLC, to serve as its chair-elect.
Since 2019, Karen has served on the Executive Committee of the Columbia Chamber Board of Directors. A dedicated group of volunteers makes up the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, which sets policy and direction for the organization. Chamber operations are governed by an Executive Committee within the Board of Directors.
In addition to Jenkins, John Griggs of Synovus Bank was elected as broad chair. As Chair-Elect, she will work closely with Griggs, the Chamber staff, committee chairs, and the board members.
Jenkins is the first African-American woman to serve as Chair-Elect of the Board, making her nomination historic. Jenkins stated, “Diversity, equity, and inclusion are an integral part of an organization, and I am proud to represent women of color and stand in this leadership role. I am honored to serve with the leadership of the Columbia Chamber and those within our community who give of their time and talents to foster a vibrant business environment.”
KRJ Consulting is an organizational growth and human capital consulting firm specializing in people by transforming leaders, integrating cultures, and building organizational capacity. KRJ Consulting provides corporations with the tools to build an environment of trust, develop knowledge and skills, and inspire others within their organizations.
Jenkins has received the Icon Award by Columbia Regional Business Report, as well as the Small Business of the Year by USC Columbia Technology Incubator in 2020. Her consulting firm made the 2020 Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing small businesses coming in at 546. Jenkins was named South Carolina Female Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration South Carolina District Office in 2019. Jenkins is active within the community and involved in numerous organizations including the SC Chamber of Commerce, Vistage, and the Women’s President Organization. She is also an alumni of the Small Business Administration’s Emerging Leaders Program and the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. Karen and her husband, Raoul Jenkins, have been married for 34 years and are blessed to be the parents of Patrice and Raoul Jenkins II.
