About us

Karen Defilippi, Strategist and Account Manager

Karen Defilippi

photo credit: William Moree

Karen hails from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and has experience on Capitol Hill as well as Democratic campaigns. Prior to joining the Chadderdon Group, she worked in the DC offices of Rep. Harry Teague-NM and Rep. Peter Welch-VT.

In 2009, she served as the Deputy Campaign Manager for the Mike Signer for Lt. Governor campaign in Virginia. In 2008, she was the Finance Director for the Gaye Symington for Governor campaign in Vermont.

Also during 2008, Karen worked for Senator Hillary Clinton’s campaign for President. Karen started with the campaign in Iowa and went on to work in New Hampshire, Nevada, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky and South Dakota. She held multiple roles on the campaign including surrogate scheduling, constituency outreach, press and preparing the briefing book for then Senator Clinton and former President Clinton.

Karen has been a speaker at the Women’s Campaign School at Yale University, the Political Management Program at George Washington University, Sorensen Institute College Leaders Program at the University of Virginia, American University, Democratic Gain,Women’s Information Network, Close Up Foundation,  Feminist Majority and Girls Lead USA. She serves on the Advisory Council of Running Start, a national organization dedicated to helping young women run for political office, and she has appeared on Washington Post Radio and ABC News.

Karen has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from American University’s School of International Service. While at American University, she developed and directed Campaign College: AU Women to Win, a training program designed to increase the number of women in student government, which is now used as a national model to increase women’s participation at colleges across the country.

Karen is known for always seeing the bright side in every situation, including smiling through marathons. She lives in Washington D.C with her wife Liz, their dog Rosie and cat Zeva.