Karen Kolnes

Senior Recruiting Manager  |  San Diego, California

Senior Recruiting Manager

San Diego, California

Executive Profile

Karen Kolnes serves as Executive Recruiter for Millman Search Group, bringing over two decades of fashion industry expertise. Her leadership background spans top luxury and retail brands, including Louis Vuitton, Bergdorf Goodman, and J. Crew.

Industry Experience

Before joining Millman Search Group in 2014, Karen held retail leadership positions in buying, management, human resources, merchandising, and operations. Her comprehensive retail background informs her strategic approach to talent acquisition.

Professional Philosophy and Background

Karen’s recruiting philosophy centers on building lasting partnerships through attentive listening and a thorough understanding of client and candidate needs. Her expertise in customer experience and inquisitive nature drive successful placements.

She holds a BA in Marketing Management from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Diego and San Francisco.

Giving back to the community is an important part of Karen’s life. She partners with Social Venture Partners, providing pro-bono consulting for nonprofits. Karen lives in San Diego with her husband.

Our Firm

Who We Are

The people, principles, and perspective that guide how we partner with clients and candidates.

Our Approach

How we identify, evaluate, and connect you with leadership talent that truly fits your organization.

The Team

Meet the experienced recruiters and industry specialists leading your search from start to finish.

Real Estate

Property development, brokerage, and investment leaders shaping communities.

Hospitality

Executives who create memorable experiences across hotels and entertainment.

Retail & Luxury Retail

Leaders who understand today's omnichannel landscape and compete effectively.

Executive Leadership

C-suite and transformative leadership talent for organizations ready to scale and evolve.

Human Resources

Strategic HR executives who shape workplace culture, talent strategy, and growth.

Finance

CFOs and financial leaders who drive clarity, stewardship, and sustainable growth.

Tech & Digital

Technology executives building scalable platforms, product innovation, and infrastructure.

Legal

General counsel and legal leaders who manage complex risk, compliance, and regulation.

Functions

AI

Leaders shaping intelligent automation, machine learning, and AI-driven business strategy.

Marketing

CMOs and brand strategists who connect with audiences, build loyalty, and drive growth.

Sales

Revenue leaders who build high-performing teams, scale pipelines, and close deals.

Operations

Executives who optimize process, performance, and operational efficiency across your business.

Supply Chain

Leaders ensuring resilience, agility, and efficiency from source to customer globally.