my philosophy

Whether words or music —

It’s all communication

As an in-demand singer and communications pro for more than two decades, I have a unique understanding of the power of the voice. Since 2013, I’ve run a boutique communications consultancy grounded in my signature Communication That Sings™ approach. I love sharing my voice onstage and helping leaders and organizations share their voices with greater confidence, clarity, and impact

my signature APPROACH

Communication That Sings™

It’s the moment I live for…

Taking the stage to perform. When the words, music, and connection with the audience all come together to deliver an unforgettable experience. A moment when in raising my voice and sharing my most authentic self — joyful, sassy, smart, sensitive — the whole room feels elevated and charged with energy. 

I’M DEDICATED TO RAISING MY VOICE AND HELPING OTHERS RAISE THEIRS.

I connect, empower, and light up audiences as a singer, speaker, and emcee.

I also provide behind-the-scenes, strategic communications consulting and trusted guidance to thought-leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs. 

In 2021, I founded She Rocked It — a media and mentorship platform that empowers creative women to raise their voices and rock it together.

I am proud to call myself a creative entrepreneur, and I mentor others on aligning their creativity with their careers. 

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Since 2013 I’ve run a boutique communications consultancy — bringing together my experience as a journalist, publicist, speechwriter, and performer.

My clients have included some of the nation’s most influential, innovative leaders and organizations, including the University of Pennsylvania, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Constitution Center, and The Philadelphia Orchestra. I served as the speechwriter for one of the nation’s leading public health officials throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’ve developed longstanding, trusting relationships with clients, helping them communicate with more confidence, clarity, ease, and impact. I have written keynote and commencement speeches, reports with broad industry impact, news articles and op-eds, video and radio scripts, e-newsletters, and website copy. I have spearheaded the creation of core communications materials, including widely-used taglines, talking points, and bios. I continue to serve as a trusted communications adviser for executives and thought-leaders.

Earlier my career, I worked closely with ABC television as the National Constitution Center’s main speechwriter for the Liberty Medal ceremony honoring Malala Yousafzai. For over three years I was the editor-in-chief of Where Magazine, Philadelphia’s premier visitor publication. I was the founding news editor of the Bucks County Herald newspaper and have contributed to Philadelphia magazine, among other publications.

MY PASSION FOR PERFORMANCE RUNS THROUGH IT ALL.

As a singer, I have performed at distinguished venues including Lincoln Center and the Philadelphia Museum of Art; entertained in Frank Sinatra’s former penthouse as part of the HGTV show “Selling New York”; been the opening act for celebrated performers, from legendary comedian Robert Klein to singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb; and headlined celebrated clubs including Cabaret at Odette’s, Don’t Tell Mama, Tin Angel, and The Metropolitan Room. In my hometown of Philadelphia, I’ve been featured on ABC, NBC, KYW Newsradio, and extensively in The Philadelphia Inquirer, and my songs have aired on the beloved WXPN radio. I’ve recorded my music with three GRAMMY-winning engineers.

I am known for sharing heartfelt original music and reinvented covers that invite people into their vulnerability. For years I trained and performed in New York City as a cabaret singer, which is all about intimacy, immediacy, and a deep connection with the audience.

I’m currently releasing evocative original music as part of Shadow Duo with Tim Motzer.

I was invited to present on "How to Make Your Speeches Sing" at the Professional Speechwriters Association World Conference—sharing the surprising yet enlightening parallels between cabaret and speechwriting. My presentation was selected by the Professional Speechwriters Association as a Speech of the Week.

I am a longstanding member of the Professional Speechwriters Association, and I have received professional training in speechwriting, voiceovers, teleprompter work, on-camera hosting, humor writing, comedy (stand-up and improv), voice/singing, and cabaret performance. I am a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wesleyan University.

Whether I’m performing ONSTAGE or I’m behind-the-scenes, bringing your voice and vision to life, you can always expect Communication That Sings™

Career Highlights

In my late 20s I was the Editor in Chief of Where Magazine in Philadelphia (and got to meet and write about some star Philadelphians like Boyz II Men and Kevin Bacon).

I’ve sung everywhere from Oscar Hammerstein’s home to the grand hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I worked with the National Constitution Center and ABC TV to script nationally broadcast Liberty Medal ceremonies (here I am with ceremony host and ABC reporter Martha Raddatz).

I love when the written word crafted behind a laptop comes to life onstage.

I was honored to collaborate on communications with Dr. Joan Hendricks, the first woman Dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. I edited Penn Vet’s magazine for four years.

I presented on “How to Make Your Speeches Sing” at the Professional Speechwriters Association World Conference at Georgetown University, where I revealed the surprising and enlightening parallels between cabaret singing and speechwriting.

“A singular singer … she puts on a show worth celebrating”

- The Philadelphia Inquirer

“Karen Gross is a shining star in the speechwriting business … a shining, SINGING star, actually.”

— David Murray, Executive Director, Professional Speechwriters Association

“Karen was an invaluable partner, helping Bluecadet on message development, communications strategy, copywriting & editing. I’d highly recommend Karen and often do.”

— Josh Goldblum, Founder and CEO, Bluecadet

“There is no one I trust more than Karen Gross to craft compelling communications. On top of it all, Karen is simply a fabulous person to be around.”

— Ashley Berke, Chief Communications Officer, The Philadelphia Orchestra