Author - Karyn Polak

Karyn Polak, an Impact Entrepreneur correspondent, works at the intersection of values-aligned impact and financial services, having worked within large law firms and financial institutions and currently as Founder and Chief Activator of Shift the Prism Advisory. Shift the Prism acts to mobilize capital and talent for broader social and economic benefit and break down structural and individual barriers to equity and access.

Karyn has served as a senior counsel, trusted advisor, and C-suite executive in her various roles in the investment banking, private banking, brokerage, asset management, insurance, and retirement businesses — from her first senior position at Citigroup as General Counsel for Citi Private Bank and other roles at Citigroup, to Deputy General Counsel at PNC Bank, to her most recent role as Chief Legal Officer for Transamerica. She also has over a decade of experience advising global financial institutions, multinational corporations, and family businesses in corporate finance, securities, and M&A at three ‘AmLaw 100’ firms.

Karyn supports a number of startups and nonprofits advancing towards a more just economy. In addition to serving as a founding board member and Secretary of The 90~10 Institute, Karyn is a board member and member of the Finance and Strategic Planning Committees of Avodah; a founding board member of The Legal Accountability Project; a mentor for a social enterprise with InnovationWorks; on the Programming Committee of ImpactPHL; on the Advisory Committees of Crowdfund Baltimore and The Unless Project of A Little Better Co.; and a member of The Forum of Executive Women.