Karen Williams is the Owner, CEO, and Creative Director of St. Charles New York, a heritage kitchen and cabinetry company celebrating its 90th year. Under her leadership, the brand has been repositioned as a design-forward business serving high-net-worth clients, architects, and interior designers across the U.S. and internationally.

With a background in design from the Fashion Institute of Technology and additional training at Escoffier and La Cornue in Paris and the Institute for Classical Art & Architecture, Karen brings both creative vision and business acumen to her role. She oversees all aspects of the company’s direction—from strategic growth and brand development to client experience and product innovation.

Karen is widely recognized as an industry leader and influential voice in redefining the kitchen’s role in the home. She has been at the forefront of adapting kitchen design to reflect broader sociological shifts in how people live today—blending design, function, and lifestyle into environments that support modern living.

She has guided St. Charles New York through changing economic conditions, shifting client expectations, and a dynamic global supply chain—all while upholding the brand’s commitment to quality, customization, and craftsmanship. Her work has earned national recognition, including the Kitchen & Bath Design News Top Innovator award. Karen is a member of the Design Leadership Network, ASID, and NKBA, and continues to shape the future of luxury residential design through both leadership and practice.