Karla Murphy
Karla Murphy is a former U.S. Marine Corps Officer turned Executive Coach and Business Strategy Consultant, with over 13 years of experience leading people, systems, and strategy in high-stakes and complex environments. She combines her military operational expertise with a deep understanding of business analytics, organizational systems, and AI integration to help founders, executives, and leadership teams scale efficiently and sustainably. Karla has built and scaled a top 1% e-commerce brand and guided hundreds of entrepreneurs and online businesses to six-, seven-, and eight-figure growth.
As the founder of Founders Forge, Karla provides strategy consulting, AI implementation, and systems optimization for organizations across industries. Her approach leverages Lean Six Sigma, data analytics, and operational frameworks to improve profitability, automate workflows, and drive leadership alignment. She regularly delivers workshops, private coaching, and speaking engagements on leadership, business transformation, systems thinking, and growth without burnout, helping leaders simplify complexity and achieve measurable results.
Karla’s career is marked by her commitment to people-first leadership and operational excellence. From managing secure communications and classified systems in the military to building scalable, data-driven business strategies, she brings a unique blend of discipline, strategic vision, and hands-on expertise. She continues to expand her impact through executive coaching and AI-driven business transformation, empowering organizations to thrive while scaling with clarity, confidence, and efficiency.
• AAA Accelerator - Consultant Phase
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
• United States Naval Academy
• New York Institute of Art and Design
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the lifelong journey that brought me to where I am today. I truly love what I do—it doesn’t feel like work, and I’d do it even for free. My 14 years as a Marine Corps Officer taught me discipline and resilience, and after leaving the service due to medical reasons, I found great joy in civilian life alongside my husband, who continues to serve in Special Ops, and our two boys. Helping people has always been my calling, and it continues to drive me every day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a career doing what you love. It’s a reminder that passion and purpose can guide your professional path, and when you love what you do, work doesn’t feel like work—it becomes meaningful and fulfilling.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is simple: do the right thing and focus on helping people. When you make a positive impact on others, it’s not just rewarding for them—it feels good for you too and builds a meaningful, purpose-driven career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my field has been fully adjusting to civilian life after loving my time serving our country. At the same time, this transition has created opportunities to apply the discipline, leadership, and problem-solving skills I developed in the military to make a meaningful impact in the civilian world.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are helping people in meaningful ways while also providing for my family. I believe in giving back, and when I see someone who truly needs support, I’m willing to do pro bono work because making a difference matters more than anything else.