Karen Crofton Headshot
Stephen M. Dunn Director of Engineering Entrepreneurship & ESCEND • Scholar In Residence

Office: Engineering South Lobby ECCS 112A

Karen works with students, faculty and alumni to support entrepreneurship within the College of Engineering and Applied Science and in collaboration with other Colleges and Institutes. She has a focus on mentorship and coordinating resources for students, organizing events, collaborating with faculty, and the engagement of alumni and industry partners. She is also the Director of the CatalyzeCU summer accelerator.

Since 1998, Karen has served in engineering and business development roles within the chemicals industry, was a founding member of a joint venture focused on industrial construction and a principal consultant in the alternative energy sector. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University, an MBA from Rice University, and an M.S in Data Analytics from CU Boulder. She is also active in local community having served on the City of Boulder Environmental Advisory Board and invested in several local start-up companies.