Karen Riordan
President and CEO
Together SC
Nonprofit
Professional Bio
Karen Riordan serves as the President & CEO of Together SC, the state’s nonprofit association, where she spends her time supporting and advocating for the nonprofit sector across South Carolina.
Karen started two nonprofits in the last few years – Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful and Partnership Grand Strand, a community foundation of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber.
Karen has 30 years of marketing and business management experience, working as President and CEO for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, as well as leading marketing firms in Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA.
Over the course of her career, Karen has led marketing programs for major tourism brands, including Visit Myrtle Beach, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Royal Caribbean International, Amtrak, Choice Hotels International, Visit Williamsburg, and Celebrity Cruises.
Karen graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Speech Communications and English.
She is a 2023 Riley Institute Diversity Fellow. In March 2021 she was recognized as the first female President and CEO of the Chamber at the City of Myrtle Beach’s celebration of Women’s History Month. In 2018 she was named Chamber Executive of the Year by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She is a recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal award for service to the community, and was honored as Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business.”
Karen loves volunteering, as well as serving on nonprofit Boards and she believes in giving time, talent and treasure to nonprofit organizations who work to make their community a better place. Karen’s passions include world travel, animal rescue, walks on the beach, and all things made of chocolate.
Karen started two nonprofits in the last few years – Keep Myrtle Beach Beautiful and Partnership Grand Strand, a community foundation of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber.
Karen has 30 years of marketing and business management experience, working as President and CEO for the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber and Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, as well as leading marketing firms in Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA.
Over the course of her career, Karen has led marketing programs for major tourism brands, including Visit Myrtle Beach, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Royal Caribbean International, Amtrak, Choice Hotels International, Visit Williamsburg, and Celebrity Cruises.
Karen graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Speech Communications and English.
She is a 2023 Riley Institute Diversity Fellow. In March 2021 she was recognized as the first female President and CEO of the Chamber at the City of Myrtle Beach’s celebration of Women’s History Month. In 2018 she was named Chamber Executive of the Year by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She is a recipient of the American Advertising Federation’s Silver Medal award for service to the community, and was honored as Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business.”
Karen loves volunteering, as well as serving on nonprofit Boards and she believes in giving time, talent and treasure to nonprofit organizations who work to make their community a better place. Karen’s passions include world travel, animal rescue, walks on the beach, and all things made of chocolate.
Organization