Karina Knighten
Karina Knighten is a Senior Marketing Program & Operations Leader with 15+ years of experience leading integrated campaigns, global launches, and cross-functional marketing operations across entertainment, media, and technology. Based in Los Angeles, she has delivered high-impact initiatives for leading organizations including Apple Music, the NFL, and Nickelodeon. A graduate of the University of Michigan, she is known for turning complex marketing strategies into structured, scalable programs that align creative, product, partnerships, and executive stakeholders to drive global execution.
Throughout her career, Karina has developed deep expertise in corporate marketing environments, navigating multiple organizational changes, restructures, and evolving business priorities. These experiences shaped her perspective on career growth and long-term stability, ultimately inspiring her to explore more flexible, entrepreneurial pathways alongside her corporate work. She specializes in building and executing large-scale, multi-channel campaigns, while also expanding into business development initiatives that allow her to diversify her professional portfolio and create greater autonomy over her time and income.
In addition to her corporate leadership experience, Karina is building a growing travel business as both a passion project and a long-term entrepreneurial venture. Introduced to the opportunity through a colleague, she recognized its potential to create uncapped earning potential and long-term flexibility. What began as a supplemental initiative has evolved into a primary focus for future independence, with the goal of transitioning fully into entrepreneurship. She is also actively developing a community of women seeking similar freedom and flexibility, drawing on her long-standing commitment to service, volunteering, and mentorship. Highly active on Instagram and increasingly leveraging LinkedIn for business growth and lead generation, Karina is focused on empowering others to build their own path to success.
• Project Leadership
• University of Michigan - BA, Dual Major: Communications and Film/Video Studies
• NFL Employee MVP Award
• Distinguished Leadership Certificate
• University of Michigan Entertainment Coalition (UMEC)
• University of Michigan Alumni NYC and NJ Chapter
• Women In Sports and Events (WISE)
• NBCUniversal Media, LLC
• Viacom
• Brooklyn Nets
• National Football League
• Urbanworld Film Festival
• Tribeca Film Festival
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my drive and success to realizing that in the U.S., we can sometimes feel like we're just one paycheck away from being broke, especially after experiencing corporate reorganizations and restructures. Knowing that I'm now closer to retirement than not, I realized what I'd been doing wasn't working, so I needed to figure out another way. When I discovered this business opportunity through a friend, I saw it as a way to control what I earn without a cap, unlike a traditional job. What drives me is wanting to make sure I can take care of myself and my family as I get older. My goal is to live a more life-work balance and have a flexible lifestyle where I don't have to clock in with someone or be confined to an office - I want to work from home, the beach, or travel to see family while working. I want that true freedom to make my own choices about how I spend my days. Seeing how my mom raised us and was always very independent also drives me - I've always had that drive to know I can take care of myself if needed, that I don't need someone to give me a handout. As a woman, I realized no one's coming to save you. Once I realized that, my plan B became my plan A. While I love making money, I get more satisfaction knowing that I'm empowering other women and showing them they can win too - there's room for all of us.
Locations
Jet Set with Karina
Los Angeles, CA 90012