Karen Ali was appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) in July 2024, becoming one of the senior leaders guiding one of the most transformational aviation projects in the United States. She oversees operations at Terminal 7 and plays a pivotal role in the creation of the new Terminal 6, ensuring a seamless transition through testing, commissioning, and implementation.

With nearly two decades of experience across aviation, retail, and business transformation, Karen has built her career on leading through change and delivering results in complex, high-pressure environments. She has held senior roles at WestJet, where she managed international operations including New York airports, and at Lynx Air, where she built the operations framework during the airline’s startup phase. Before joining JMP, she served as COO of Avi & Co., where she successfully scaled growth and profitability in the luxury retail sector.

Karen’s journey reflects the power of adaptability, courage, and leadership. From driving large-scale capital projects to guiding teams through transformation, she has consistently demonstrated that women can lead boldly in industries historically dominated by men. She is passionate about mentoring and developing future leaders, especially women who aspire to break barriers and redefine what’s possible in their fields.

Karen holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta and continues to champion leadership that balances results with empathy and collaboration. She often shares her leadership philosophy: “I want to leave every environment better than when I entered it. By paving the way for new leaders, we open the door to creativity, innovation, and the adoption of practices that make the path stronger for those who follow us.”