Karen Atkinson - Deputy Director, Office of Minority Business and Economic Development
Karen Atkinson joined the Department of Energy as a Deputy Director to establish the new Office of Minority Business and Economic Development. The office is authorized to broaden the positive economic impact that the Department’s policies and programs have on minority business enterprises and communities. Ms. Atkinson develops strategies to raise awareness of energy sector opportunities and increase outreach to diverse enterprises and develops partnerships to provide technical assistance to increase minority business participation in the energy industry and in DOE programs.
Ms. Atkinson is currently leading the Department’s efforts on a place-based initiative to focus federal resources and enhance coordination in the Gulf Coast Region to break down barriers to entry to jobs and contracting opportunities by the diverse local community related mega energy projects announced in the region. She is also working with other DOE programs and offices to increase engagement and outreach with diverse businesses including the Department’s Lab-to-Market initiatives and implementation of energy savings performance contracts.
Ms. Atkinson has extensive experience as a legal and policy advisor on federal Indian law, small business, economic development and energy planning and development. She has experience in business consulting for tribal governments and companies that want to work with tribes. She has provided advice on how to form tribal business entities, on how to create strategic tribal business partnerships, and on financing options and tax incentives for projects in Indian Country.
As President of Tribal Strategies, Inc., Karen co-authored the 2008 “Tribal Business Structure Handbook” a comprehensive guide to structuring tribal enterprises including sovereign immunity, tax consequences, and financing considerations. Hailed by Indian Country Today as “a one-stop knowledge on business structuring.”
Prior to joining the Department of Energy, Ms. Atkinson served as the Director of the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development where she implemented technical assistance and grant programs related to energy and economic development. Ms. Atkinson also served as Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association where she was an advocate on small business and federal contracting issues and developed strategic alliances with minority business trade associations. She also served as Deputy Director of the National Park Service where she developed an Environmental Leadership Program and a Green Energy Parks Program. She also served as Senior Counsel to United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee where she advised senators on energy policy and natural resource issues, and led the effort to the draft the Indian title of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Ms. Atkinson is a graduate of Stanford University and the University of New Mexico School of Law.