Ms Karen Cheah is a Senior Consultant at Principals Academy and an international award-winning creative leader. With more than 20 years’ experience in communications, marketing, and business development, she has helmed regional strategies for global media and entertainment brands, including Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific and HBO Asia. A former journalist and creative strategist, her career has spanned video, online, and app-based platforms, with her work recognised at the London International Advertising Awards, New York Festivals, and with the John Hendricks Innovation Award (twice) for innovation.

Karen brings her breadth of expertise into the classroom, equipping leaders and educators with the skills to master clear and purposeful communication. As Affiliate Faculty and Programme Director at Singapore Management University (SMU), and a Leadership Scholar who earned her Master of Science in Innovation there, she bridges academic insight with practical application to create meaningful learning experiences.

As Founder and CEO of Alterpacks, an advanced materials start-up, Karen continues to channel her passion for innovation, education, and collaboration—values that shape her teaching philosophy. Through her workshops, she equips participants with the tools and creative confidence to communicate, inspire, and lead with clarity.