We continue to celebrate female leaders at Houzz in honor of Women’s History Month with our Houzzer Profile series. In her role as international lead editor, Karen Bofinger oversees the global editorial team outside of the U.S. who create inspiring and educational stories for our community. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her son reading books or wheel throwing–a technique for shaping clay on a pottery wheel–at an open artists’ studio. 

How did you first hear about Houzz? 
In 2013, I was approached about joining Houzz as an editor to help build the German community and create localized content for our readers. I met with the German country manager in Munich who spoke with so much passion about Houzz and the plans for the international expansion that I was instantly hooked. I knew I had to be part of this adventure. I quit my job at an internationally renowned home design publication and joined Houzz as one of the first employees in Berlin, and as they say, the rest is history.

What do you do at Houzz?
The Editorial team creates content that builds trust with our homeowner community, inspiring them to pursue their own renovation or design projects and educating them about the process. We publish a wide range of editorial stories based on expert interviews, insights from Houzz data and journalistic research. Topics include inspirational design roundups, before and afters, detailed project guides and advice, and Houzz Tours, which take our readers on a descriptive visit around a home or room. 

The team also produces content for our professional community, including coverage from global trade shows and design fairs, as well as advice for running their business. In addition to editorial story production, the International team also creates paid content for our brand partners, collaborates with marketing and PR initiatives and manages our social media channels. 

What has been your favorite project while working at Houzz?
Definitely preparing for the launch of the Houzz platform in Germany back in 2014. We were a tiny team, and we all felt so proud to be playing a part in building this exciting new platform. Each day was very different and there was a lot of cross-functional involvement, from planning the local editorial strategy to supporting site localization to interviewing potential Houzzers. It was a busy but very happy time. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience to see how far the platform has evolved.

What do you think makes Houzz’s culture unique?
The people at Houzz. The company has grown significantly since I started and lots of things have changed over the years, but the type of people Houzz employs remains the same. They are open, they build strong relationships with colleagues, and their dedication to Houzz excelling is incredible. 

What is your best advice for managing a global team across multiple countries and time zones?
It’s important to remember that needs differ from country to country. I lead a team of very strong, experienced editors and managers who are experts in their roles, so I trust them. I listen to their expertise so that we can respond to the local nuances in the best possible way.

How would you describe your leadership style?
As a leader, I am strategic, analytical, and performance-oriented. But I mainly strive to be authentic and empathetic. People build companies, and you’ll succeed by working with them and giving them responsibility, trust, and accountability.

Who are your professional role models? 
Over the course of my career, I have worked with many people and leaders, and from each, there was something to learn. I think it’s an important thing to remember: keep your eyes open, there is something in every boss and every teammate you can learn from or adapt for your own working style. 

It’s not necessarily in a professional sense, but both my grandma and my mom drilled into me how essential it is to remain independent as a woman and to follow my own path, which has certainly prepared me for my career.

Do you have any advice for the next generation of female leaders? 
Never let someone tell you that you can’t be a leader and a mom at the same time, if that’s your goal. Instead, look out for a company that supports you in achieving what you want. Trust your instincts, and do not hesitate to showcase your accomplishments. 

If you’re interested in joining our team, we’re hiring! Check out available opportunities at houzz.com/jobs.