Karen Hough Majidzadeh
Founder & CEO @Improvedge
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WORK HISTORY
Founder & CEO @Improvedge
Columbus, OH, US
Business training with an improv twist. We change behavior – Performance. Research. Results. At ImprovEdge, we deliver live, customized learning experiences designed to make training more scalable, community-driven, impactful, and measurable than standard training alone.Our comprehensive suite of programs supports Executives, Managers, Individual Contributors, and all roles across any industry.Our Results:• 98% of participants recommend our programs to a colleague.• Enhanced retention, collaboration, and innovation across all employee levels.• Immediate application—learners say that they walk away with tools they can implement right away, reinforcing long-term behavior change.• Stronger collaboration—teams report improved communication and problem-solving following ImprovEdge training.We\'re proud to partner with industry leaders such as NBCUniversal, Lennar, ODW, AstraZeneca, Nationwide, JPMorgan Chase, and more.At ImprovEdge, we meet people where they are, ensuring impactful learning that drives retention and fuels company success. Now, more than ever, improvisation is the key to innovation and business success. After all, improvisers arrive on stage with nothing—no costumes, props, or scripts. Yet they create entire shows on their feet, without a net. Sound familiar? As organizations change and grow, improvisation offers a valuable lesson in making more out of less. We work with everyone from large corporations to small agencies, from retailers to attorneys, and everyone in between. Every organization can benefit from learning new and better ways of doing business. ImprovEdge is a government certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).
EDUCATION
Université Paris-Sorbonne
Certificate, French language and culture
Yale University
BA, Humanities, with a distinction in Theatre
SKILLS
ABOUT KAREN HOUGH MAJIDZADEH
Learning and development is a lifelong journey. Every professional deserves the opportunity to grow—boosting their confidence, sharpening their skills, and building a career they love. And every organization deserves leaders and teams who are engaged, strategic, and agile—focused on driving the mission forward. That’s why I founded ImprovEdge. I’m a passionate advisor, coach, and facilitator of learning, growth, and confidence for leaders and teams. As the Founder and CEO of ImprovEdge—and a pioneer in interactive training—I was the first to explore the connection between improv methodology and research in human behavior, neuroscience, and psychology. For over two decades, our work has been recognized with honors including the Amazon #1 Bestseller, the Silver Stevie Award for Most Innovative Company of the Year, and the WNBA\'s Outstanding Business Women Award.My first career was on stage—as a professional improviser and actor. I trained and performed with Chicago’s Second City, appeared in over 100 theatrical productions, and was featured in radio, TV, and film. I thrived in the business world as an executive in network engineering at one of the first tech startups to go public. Eventually, I blended these two lives to build ImprovEdge, where the art of improv meets the science of leadership. Today, I’m a Certified Speaking Professional (National Speakers Association), a WBENC Pitch Perfect Champion, and have delivered keynotes and workshops to over a million people across five continents. I regularly speak on topics such as executive presence, leadership, negotiation, presentation skills, and business development. I\'m the author of three books:>The Improvisation Edge: Secrets to Building Trust and Radical Collaboration at Work – named a Top 25 Business Book by 800CEORead >Be the Best Bad Presenter Ever – available in three languages, on Audible, and winner of the Benjamin Franklin Gold Award >Go With It: Embrace the Unexpected to Drive Change – published by ATD A graduate of Yale University and La Sorbonne, Paris IV, I’m committed to giving back—serving as a trustee on multiple philanthropic boards, such as the Vice Chair of CAPA (Columbus Association for the Performing Arts). I’ve served on the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards Nominating Committee, and designed and delivered confidence building workshops in Chicago City Schools and rural Kansas. Whether I’m facilitating a leadership session or speaking at a global conference, helping people step out of their comfort zones and into growth, connection, and confidence is my happy place.
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