In Conversation
Karen Lawton for Bold. Brilliant. Unstoppable.
Read the transcript
Karen Lawton: To me, being an influential woman means redefining leadership as an act of multiplication rather than subtraction. It's not just about reaching a seat at the table. It's about ensuring I'm not the last person to sit there. Influence is the ability to use my voice to advocate for diverse perspectives and to mentor others so that they can have the confidence to share their own. It means leading with a blend of high level strategy and genuine empathy. That's what being an influential woman means to me.
What's one piece of advice you would give to younger women chasing their dreams?
Karen Lawton: A piece of advice I would give to a young woman chasing their dreams is I would remind them that failure is data, not an identity. When you hit a wall, and you will, don't internalize it as a sign that you don't belong. Treat failure like a scientist. It's just data telling you which direction doesn't work for you, so you can pivot to the one that does. The most effective way to do it is to do it.
Her Story
About Karen
MV Transportation Experience
A career path intentionally built within MV, culminating in holistic expertise across all functional areas required for General Manager leadership.
Assistant General Manager /Customer Relations
Direct the daily operations of a major paratransit and shuttle contract covering 2,000 sq. miles in Palm Beach County. Oversee a workforce of 245+ employees delivering 8,000+ weekly passenger trips.
- Technology Implementation: Maximized use of RouteMatch/Trip Spark and Trapeze for effective scheduling, dispatching, and real-time monitoring of 150+ routes, driving system efficiency.
- Client Relations: Serve as the primary liaison for the client, ensuring transparent communication, rapid problem resolution, and strict adherence to contract standards.
- Operational Finance: Collaborate with the General Manager on financial reporting, track budget adherence, and analyze labor costs to contribute to effective cost control.
- Performance Optimization: Monitored employee productivity and optimized procedures to meet and exceed contractual On-Time Performance (OTP) requirements, specifically targeting a reduction in late pullouts.
- Strategic Reporting: Authored comprehensive daily KPI reports for senior management to track performance trends and evaluate organizational performance.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the foundation of hard work and service instilled in me by my mother, father, and grandmother .. That potential was first ignited in my youth by the mentorship of Mrs. Victoria Johnson, Ms. Susie Austin, and Mrs. Joanne Dupont, who taught me the discipline required for excellence.
Today, I lead with the unwavering support of my wife, Yolanda Newmon. This 'family-first' mindset is the engine of my leadership style; I don't just manage a contract—I build operations where people feel supported, respected, and driven to perform. I believe that when you honor the individual, the results follow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most powerful advice I’ve lived by is that while you may encounter many rejections, it only takes one 'yes' to change your trajectory—but the real work is who you become while you wait for it. I’ve spent many years staying the course, outworking the day before, being better than the day before and remaining humble.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Master every part of the operation from the ground up, stay the course through every 'no' until you get your 'yes,' and never forget that your frontline experience is the authority that will eventually command the boardroom.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My current challenge isn't operational—it’s the personal journey of carrying a legacy forward after the loss of my mother; my opportunity is to use that strength to lead my team with a deeper level of empathy and a 'family-first' culture that proves stability starts with the heart."
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My core values are resilience to stay the course, integrity to lead by example, and a deep-rooted commitment to family—both the one that raised me and the workforce I lead every day
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