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Updated: August 7, 2020 / 2020 40 Under Forty Honorees

Karen Sills

 

Karen Sills

Age: 38

Company: Prudential Financial Inc.

Title: Vice President, Corporate Counsel

No. of years with current company: 9

Town where I live: West Hartford

Town where I work: Hartford

College: Princeton University

Highest degree: Law degree

Karen Sills is vice president and corporate counsel in Prudential Financial’s Retirement division and is responsible for providing a wide range of proactive legal advice. She leads a team of attorneys that supports Retirement’s investment products businesses, including both market value investments and industry-leading stable value platform.

As a young woman in an industry still disproportionately male (both law and financial services), Sills has established herself as a trusted advisor, technical expert and skilled manager.

What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?

I have routinely taken on roles of increasing importance, including providing business counsel on the due diligence of potential billion-dollar corporate transactions and in connection with the successful defense of putative class actions involving Prudential Retirement’s business, including one result that was affirmed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

How are you involved in the community?

Through Prudential’s pro bono program and Connecticut Statewide Legal Services Security Deposit Clinic, I help individuals regain their security deposits in accordance with state law.

Outside of Prudential, I am co-class agent for Princeton University’s annual giving program, and an active volunteer at my church and my son’s elementary school.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with family and friends. My husband and I are very active with our two boys — family hikes, spending time at Winding Trails, running 5Ks together, and supporting the boys in playing multiple sports each season. I am also an avid Peloton rider.

How did dealing with the coronavirus pandemic help you grow as a leader?

I am fortunate to lead a highly skilled team of attorneys, so in this 100% virtual environment, I have been focusing on managing with empathy and maintaining connections. I am proud to lead a high-performing, high-morale unit that continues to perform on all cylinders even with the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty:

Advise on complex multimillion- and billion-dollar investment transactions requiring expertise in multiple legal disciplines.

Provide legal advice for investments available to millions of individuals who invest over $150 billion through their retirement plans.

As secretary of Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Co., I am a senior officer of a multibillion-dollar company.

Recognized as a leader in my field — led discussions at the ALI-CLE Conference on investment products and Women, Influence & Power in Law Conference.

Fun Fact 

I am an identical twin.

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1 Comments

Anonymous
August 10, 2020

Well deserved, Karen. Congratulations!

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