Karen Niovitch Davis
Partner
New York
BIOGRAPHY
Karen is a seasoned Human Resources professional with 20+ years of experience in the Financial Services sector. Her expertise includes Recruiting, Employee Relations, Performance and Talent Management, Training and Development, and Compensation.
Karen joined Prosek Partners in 2012. She was previously the Director of Human Resources at Third Avenue Management/MJ Whitman, where she established, built and managed the Human Resources function. Prior to that, Karen was at Moore Capital Management, where she was responsible for the recruitment, program development, performance management, compensation and training for the investment professionals and trading teams.
Karen spent the majority of her career with Morgan Stanley, where she served as a Vice President with global responsibility. She had various responsibilities throughout her tenure, including global management of the Human Resources function for the firm’s Equity Research Division. She also headed the Campus Recruiting programs for the Sales, Trading and Research Divisions. Karen also spent time in the Hong Kong office to help develop the Firm’s campus recruiting strategy for China.
She is also qualified to give fashion advice, having started her career as an Associate Buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Karen graduated from Binghamton University, in Binghamton. N.Y., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics and Law.
Q & A
Where were you born and raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Manhattan, grew up in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and currently reside in Livingston, New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
What are your greatest strengths as a Director of Human Capital?
My ability to build strong relationships with people and be viewed as a trusted advisor by my ‘clients’- the employees at Prosek Partners.
What was your first job?
At 13 years old, I got my first job working in the fitting room at Loehmann’s. I have also written names in glitter on Santa hats and Christmas stockings, as well as waited tables at TGI Fridays.
What’s your ‘nerdiest’ tendency?
I keep an old school, detailed, hand written day planner and I can tell you what I did on any given day in the last 5+ years.
Name one thing most people don’t know about you.
I used to think I would be a Broadway star.
What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
Rome, Italy
How would your mother describe you?
Dedicated, driven, and a good decision maker. Her shopping buddy, too.
What’s one of your guilty pleasures?
Reality TV
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
Jennifer Aniston
What’s the motto you try and live by?
Be the type of person you want to meet.