International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce
Karen L. Zens
Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Operations, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service
Karen Zens is a career diplomat with the U.S. Commercial Service of the Department of Commerce. In August 2009, Karen assumed the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Operations at the U.S. Commercial Service in Washington, D.C., a position which she also held from 2002-2004. As such, she manages a worldwide network of more than 125 offices located in over 75 countries that provide export assistance to American companies. Prior to this position, Karen served as Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City directing the operations of the four Commercial Service offices in Mexico charged with promoting U.S. exports and defending the interests of U.S. business in the Mexican market. Previous assignments include: Senior Commercial Officer & Director, Commercial Liaison in the U.S. Executive Director’s Office of the World Bank; Commercial Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Italy; and Principal Commercial Officer at the U.S. Consulate in St Petersburg, Russia, where she opened the U.S. Commercial Service Office and American Business Center, the first such U.S. business center in Russia. Her activities in Russia were recognized as part of a Commerce Department Silver Medal Group Award. She also served as Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Canada and Assistant Commercial Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain.
Prior to joining the U.S. Commercial Service, she worked for the Ford Motor Company as International Representative for the Latin American Automotive Operations, as well as for the U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce. Karen was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of Smith College and has a Masters degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Certificate in Russian Studies from the Harriman Institute of Columbia University.