CEO & Founder
Karen W. Robinson
Karen W. Robinson is a nationally respected public-sector technology leader with more than 30 years of experience spanning government, technology, policy, and the private sector. As CEO and Founder of KWR Strategies, she advises technology companies seeking to understand and serve state government markets, building connections between innovative solutions and public-sector leaders across the country.
Before founding KWR Strategies, Karen served as Chief Information Officer for the State of Texas and Executive Director of the Texas Department of Information Resources. In that role, she held statewide responsibility for information and communications technology planning, procurement, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and service delivery.
Karen’s public-service career also included leadership and advisory roles supporting two Texas governors, the lieutenant governor, and the Texas Senate. As Director of Administration and Technology for the Office of the Governor, she oversaw technology operations, served as Information Resources Manager, collaborated with agencies across state government, and helped coordinate the Border Governors’ Conferences. Her work contributed to major initiatives involving digital government services, cybersecurity policy, crisis response, and statewide data-center consolidation.
Karen founded KWR Strategies in 2015 to bring her government experience, strategic insight, and extensive national network to organizations working at the intersection of technology and public service. Today, she helps clients navigate complex government environments, strengthen relationships with decision-makers, and position technology solutions around the operational and mission priorities of states and their agencies.
Her leadership has earned recognition including Texas CIO of the Year, Texas Public Sector Executive of the Year, StateScoop 50 national recognition, and a Lifetime Member Award from the National Association of State Technology Directors.