Prior to founding her own firm in 2003, Karen Keatley had extensive experience in investment management.  Karen and her team joined Modera in 2020.  Her career began more than twenty years ago in the Economic Research Department at CSX Transportation.  After completing her MBA at Duke University at the Fuqua School of Business, she joined Prudential Insurance Company where she served as Vice President and managed part of a multi-billion dollar portfolio of fixed-income and private equity investments.  She made the transition to investment management and financial planning for individuals as a fee-only advisor because she believes in the importance of quality advice that is not influenced by a sales agenda.

Karen is somewhat unique among financial advisors in that she has earned both the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) and CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™) marks of distinction, in addition to an MBA.  The depth of her academic study combined with her investment experience enables her to provide exceptional perspective and highly insightful advice for her clients.  As a member of National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, (NAPFA), she serves clients in a fiduciary capacity, which means that she accepts the legal standard to put clients’ interests first.  

Karen has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance, MSN.com Money Central, Charlotte Business Journal, and South Park Magazine, among other publications.  She has been interviewed on film by local television and is often consulted as a subject matter expert for news reports.  Karen also contributed to the book, Just Give Me the Answer$: Expert Advisors Address Your Most Pressing Financial Questions (Dearborn Trade Press, April 2004).  

Karen is a member of the Women’s Impact Fund and has served on that organization’s finance committee and Board of Directors as the Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair.  An amateur singer, she has performed with Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and has served on the Boards of Directors for Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.  Karen has two adult children and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and her dog.  She enjoys golf and travel, and cherishes time with family.