Karen Lee is Chief Marketing Officer at Mayfield, where she leads marketing initiatives and provides strategic support to the firm's portfolio companies. With nearly two decades of experience across venture capital, higher education, and technology, she brings deep expertise in building brands and scaling marketing programs.
Prior to joining Mayfield, Karen served as Vice President of Marketing at Bessemer Venture Partners, where she led integrated brand marketing strategies and worked closely with investors and portfolio companies. At Stanford University, she spearheaded digital engagement for the Office of Development and Graduate School of Business, crafting compelling narratives around business research and insights from global leaders.
Her experience spans both startup and enterprise environments – from leading product launches at Livescribe to developing breakthrough campaigns for major brands including Six Flags, vitaminwater, Panasonic, and Intel. This breadth of experience gives her a unique perspective on storytelling and brand building across different stages of company growth.
Karen's expertise in translating complex ideas into compelling narratives and building authentic brands aligns with Mayfield's mission of championing bold entrepreneurs from inception to iconic.
Beyond her professional work, Karen serves on the board as Vice Chair of the Bay Area Women Sports Initiative, a nonprofit empowering girls through sports about leadership and mentorship. Her commitment to sports stems from her own experience as a former Division 3 basketball and club water polo player at Middlebury College, where she earned her B.A. in Psychology.
A California native, Karen lives on the Peninsula with her husband, two children, and their dog. When she's not working with founders, you might find her running trails, hip hop dancing, or planning the next family adventure.
