K.Taylor Liggins

Karen Taylor-Liggins, MA, LLM

Founder | Executive Coach | Nonprofit Strategist | AI Consultant

Karen Taylor-Liggins is a nationally recognized executive coach, nonprofit strategist, and AI consultant known for her ability to help mission-driven organizations lead with clarity, integrity, and innovation. As the founder of Higher Level Coaching and Mediation, she has partnered with nonprofits, small businesses, and executive teams to align operations, optimize HR systems, and embed inclusive leadership practices.

With a career spanning both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, Karen brings over two decades of high-impact experience, including leadership roles in the pharmaceutical, managed care, and faith-based industries. Her past positions have included Thought Leader Liaison, Director of Operations and Human Resources as well as becoming the first African-American Executive Director of a local 125 year national professional association, where she guided governance reform, expanded membership, and navigated complex organizational change.

In addition to her nonprofit leadership work, Karen is an emerging voice in the ethical AI space. Through her consultancy work, she helps organizations integrate responsible, bias-aware AI solutions that enhance workforce productivity and decision-making without compromising equity or values. She is passionate about making ethical AI accessible to under-resourced organizations, particularly in the nonprofit and education sectors.

Karen holds a B.S. from Stephens College, a Master’s in Management from Webster University, and an LL.M. in Dispute Resolution from the University of Missouri School of Law. She is a certified executive coach, a respected advisor to emerging and established leaders, and an advocate for health equity. 

She currently serves as Treasurer of the Board for Rebuilding Together and is a former board member of Generate Health and past DEI Steering Committee member for NAMI St. Louis.

Known for her strategic mind and straight-talk leadership style, Karen is deeply committed to building systems that support sustainable growth, organizational healing, and inclusive innovation. When she’s not facilitating strategic breakthroughs or advising leaders, you’ll find Karen doing yoga, experimenting with plant-based recipes, reading nonfiction, tending to her collection of exotic plants or enjoying travel and spending time with her granddaughter.