Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Karen Sammon Of Zutek LLC On How to Align Your Goals with Your True Self
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Evolve Your Goals with Growth and Purpose. As your experience grows, goals evolve to reflect your values and a greater sense of purpose.
Finding and living in alignment with your true purpose can be a transformative journey. Yet, many struggle with identifying their life’s purpose and aligning their goals with it. In this series, we aim to explore how individuals discover their purpose and create a life that reflects their authentic selves, leading to greater fulfillment and success. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Karen Sammon.
“Karen Sammon is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming organizations and empowering others through her commitment to Conscious Capitalism and servant leadership. With a proven track record of driving strategic and cultural change, she has held pivotal roles, including CEO of Conscious Capitalism, Inc., where she has been instrumental in elevating the organization’s mission to use business as a force for good. Under her leadership, the organization has advanced initiatives to inspire leaders to embrace stakeholder-oriented practices.
Karen’s career spans diverse industries, including her tenure as CEO and President of PAR Technology Corporation, where she spearheaded a digital transformation and reinvigorated the company’s culture and values. She also co-founded CustomerX.i, a platform revolutionizing data accessibility for restaurant operators. Karen’s board memberships, including her role with Daily Table, reflect her dedication to innovative business models that enhance community well-being.
Currently, Karen focuses on elevating and celebrating the unsung heroes of the restaurant, retail, and hospitality industries — those who perform technology project management and digital installations. As CEO of Zutek, a woman-owned and woman-led company, she leads an organization that partners with some of the largest retailers to deliver exceptional service through a people-first approach. Karen is transforming Zutek by prioritizing customer delight through the care of team members and stakeholders. Her initiatives include leveraging technology to operate effectively while creating a better quality of life for field technicians and engineers, enabling them to return home daily and be present for family milestones. She is also driving the development of a tech platform that not only enhances Zutek’s success but can be licensed by partners to support their growth. Zutek’s innovative strategy redefines perceptions of trade workers, fostering opportunities for growth and inclusivity in the industry.
Driven by core values of courage, service, and authenticity, Karen integrates her professional achievements with a personal mission to inspire the next generation of leaders. Her work emphasizes the profound impact of conscious leadership in building businesses that are ethical, sustainable, and purpose-driven.”
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
I grew up in the heart of New York State in an entrepreneurial family that nurtured my curiosity and drive to innovate from a young age. My father’s success as a business leader inspired me to create my own ventures early on — starting with growing and selling vegetables in our community and co-founding LesKare with my best friends. LesKare helped families with tasks like babysitting, snow shoveling, raking leaves, and even serving and cleaning at parties. These experiences shaped my understanding of hard work, community, and the value of creative problem-solving.
At Colgate University, my perspective broadened as I studied peace studies and explored the history of the indigenous peoples of Central New York, the Iroquois Nation, who share the land where I was raised. Their culture and philosophies deeply influenced me, sparking my interest in understanding global traditions. My travels through Latin America, Asia, and Europe became opportunities to immerse myself in diverse communities, learning about their values, customs, and stories.
I went on to attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where I focused on corporate law while taking electives in human rights law. Looking back, I realize I was seeking a deeper understanding of how businesses can harmonize profitability with humanity. This intersection — blending entrepreneurship with ethics, service, and responsibility — has been a guiding principle throughout my career.
I am, at my core, a lifelong learner driven by curiosity and a desire to weave together the lessons from my varied experiences. Beyond my professional pursuits, my greatest passion is my family. I am the proud mother of three incredible children — Darnnel, Fiona, and Gavin — and the wife of my amazing partner, Will Cardamone. I cherish the roles that connect me to others: daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and friend. These relationships provide the foundation that grounds and inspires me.
These personal and professional experiences have profoundly shaped my commitment to conscious leadership and my belief in the transformative power of business to elevate humanity.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
First, my parents shaped who I am at my core. My mother taught me the importance of agency and standing up for what I believe in, while my father exemplified perseverance and fairness. Together, they instilled in me the value of family and the power of integrity in every aspect of life.
Professionally, Fred LeFranc has been a steadfast mentor, guiding me through some of the toughest challenges of my career. His belief in me, even in moments of doubt, gave me the confidence to push forward and embrace new opportunities.
Rand Stagen and his remarkable leadership academy gave me a path to explore my deeper purpose. Through Rand and Fred, I discovered Conscious Capitalism — a philosophy that beautifully integrates my passions for building businesses and nurturing people. Their influence helped me see how business can truly elevate humanity.
Finally, Lynne Twist has been a beacon of wisdom and grace. She reminds me of the interconnectedness of morality, humanity, and the natural world. Her guidance continues to shape my approach to leadership and life.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
As a leader, I believe three character traits have been instrumental to my success: curiosity, courage, and care for others. These traits have shaped my journey and helped me navigate challenges, create opportunities, and build meaningful relationships.
- Curiosity
From a young age, I’ve been driven by an insatiable desire to learn and explore. This curiosity inspired me to study peace studies at Colgate University, immerse myself in the history of the Iroquois Nation, and travel through Latin America, Asia, and Europe to understand different cultures. Curiosity also led me to law school, where I sought to understand how businesses could balance profitability with humanity. This lifelong habit of questioning and learning was pivotal when I stepped into leadership roles at Zutek and Conscious Capitalism. For example, at Zutek, my curiosity drives innovation as we build a tech platform to improve operations and create a better life for field technicians, changing the perception of trade work and its opportunities. - Courage
Courage has been critical in making tough decisions and standing firm in my beliefs, even in uncertain times. When I joined PAR Technology Corporation as CEO, I faced the challenge of turning around a company in need of cultural, operational and product transformation. Courage allowed me to lead with transparency and authenticity, aligning the organization with its core values while pushing for software innovation. Similarly, at Zutek, courage guides me as I shift the company’s focus to delighting customers by prioritizing the well-being of our team and stakeholders, a bold move in a traditionally profit-driven industry. Simply put, courage shows up each and every day. - Care
In my heart is a genuine care for people, whether it’s my family, colleagues, or community. I’ve sometimes referred to it as my greatest strength and weakness. This value stems from the example set by my parents and is amplified by friends, mentors, coaches and people I meet each day. At Conscious Capitalism, I work to connect leaders across industries to elevate humanity through business. At Zutek, care is central to our strategy, ensuring that we take care of each other and all stakeholders.
These traits, curiosity, courage, and care are at my core and the foundation of my leadership. Together, they help me navigate challenges with an open mind, make bold decisions with confidence, and build businesses that prioritize humanity alongside profitability
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Was there a defining moment or experience in your life when you felt a clear sense of your purpose? How did it influence the goals you set from that point forward?
Honestly, there hasn’t been one defining moment or crisis that crystallized my purpose. Instead, I’ve been following my purpose and my heart for as long as I can remember. The challenge for me has been leaning into that purpose, embracing it fully, recognizing its value, and being proud of it, especially because leading with empathy hasn’t always been popular or celebrated. Over time, I’ve come to realize that empathetic leadership isn’t just a strength, it’s a powerful way to drive meaningful change and inspire others.
What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?
First, understand that you are not alone. Some people are born understanding why they are on this earth and they pursue it. Next, consider what energizes and drains you. Think about who does the work that you’d like to do and find ways to connect with this/these people. Connect and have a conversation and before you end the conversation, ask for a connection, a next step, a call to action — do not leave a call or meeting without asking.
How do you differentiate between external pressures — like societal expectations — and the inner calling that aligns with your true self?
- Take time to listen to your inner voice — long walks, close to naturae, quite time without headphones, meditation
- Discuss with trusted sources
- Align with values — close the gap btw walk and talk
Can you share an example of a time when you adjusted or abandoned a goal because it no longer aligned with your deeper sense of purpose? What did you learn from that experience?
When I inherited an organization going through a turnaround, one of the hardest moments was realizing we needed to restructure. It meant downsizing — a decision I wrestled with deeply because of the impact on people and their families. An approach focused on financial recovery didn’t align with my values or sense of purpose. So, I shifted my focus to making the process as humane as possible.We prioritized generous severance, relocation support, and helping affected employees transition smoothly. For those staying, I emphasized open communication and creating space for them to process and rebuild trust. I learned that leadership isn’t just about achieving business goals — it’s about how you achieve them. Staying true to my purpose helped me lead with compassion and foster organisational resilience.
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
Look to harmonize your personal and professional goals and take care of yourself.
What are “5 Ways to Align Your Goals With Your True Self”?
This is what’s worked for me:
- Discover and Define Your Core Values
Alignment begins with understanding who you are and what you stand for. It’s not a one-time realization but an ongoing journey.
At PAR, I worked in various roles, each providing new perspectives on my strengths and values. Leading the company through a challenging transformation reinforced my belief in intentional, empathetic leadership and the importance of harmonizing profitability and purpose. This self-discovery and the commitment to lead in a way that is reflective of my personality laid the foundation for my on-going mental, physical, emotional and spiritual work.
2. Balance Long-Term and Immediate Needs
Aligned goals must balance the present with a commitment to long-term impact. I look at business as an infinite game.
While restructuring PAR, I had to make tough decisions to stabilize the business. However, I kept my focus on the long-term vision: creating a sustainable company and culture that values our stakeholders. This commitment shaped the way I approached our team members, shareholders, Board of Directors, customers, suppliers, partners, communities and the planet in every engagement.
3. Lead with Empathy and Authenticity, Especially Under Pressure
External pressures often challenge authenticity, but staying true to ones leadership philosophy creates trust and alignment.
At PAR and now at Zutek, I’ve faced situations where traditional leadership approaches focused solely on metrics and efficiency. These are important indicators of performance. And, I’ve found that when I lean into empathy and transparency, it unlocks higher performance. For instance, at Zutek, I prioritize care and collaboration — our two values — for all team members including our field technicians by leveraging technology to maximize performance and simultaneously reducing their time away from family, ensuring their work aligns with a better quality of life.
4. Evolve Your Goals with Growth and Purpose
As your experience grows, goals evolve to reflect your values and a greater sense of purpose.
My work with Conscious Capitalism gave me language and examples that align my purpose combining business success and elevating humanity. At Zutek, this evolution is reflected in our goals: improving life for our employees, changing perceptions of trade workers, and creating tech solutions that empower other businesses to thrive.
5. Build and Nurture a Values-Driven Community
Surrounding yourself with mentors and like-valued leaders helps you stay grounded and true to your purpose.
Fred LeFranc and Rand Stagen have been instrumental in my journey, providing guidance and frameworks for purpose-driven leadership. Lynne Twist has shown me the moral and human dimensions of business leadership. These relationships reinforce my belief in the power of collaboration and shared values in creating meaningful change.
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
Same as above!
How can our readers further follow your work?
You can follow me on my LinkedIn!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Karen Sammon Of Zutek LLC On How to Align Your Goals with Your… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.