Karen Jacobsen

Born in Mackay, Australia, and writing songs from the age of seven, Karen Jacobsen was inspired to become a professional singer by Olivia Newton-John. She graduated from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, majoring in voice and piano and winning the Jazz Prize.

Singing with the Queensland Youth Choir and being awarded the Warana Young Performer of the Year, Jacobsen moved to Sydney and made her musical theatre debut in the original Australian cast of "Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story." She performed regularly on Australian television, including "Good Morning Australia" and "I Do I Do." Her speaking and singing voices have been used in thousands of commercials for television, radio, and online platforms.

On July 4th, 2000, Jacobsen relocated to New York City, where she wrote and recorded songs, releasing nine CDs on her independent label Kurly Queen. Her songs have featured on soundtracks for "Dawson's Creek" and the NBC show "Passions." She has shared the stage with notable artists like Christopher Cross, Neil Sedaka, Norah Jones, and Cyndi Lauper. Jacobsen has collaborated with Grammy Award winner Andy Zulla, Tony Award winner David Zippel, ARIA Award winner Sean O'Boyle, and Emmy Award nominee Amy Powers.

In 2002, her speaking voice became one of the Australian English options for text-to-speech systems in GPS units for Garmin, Navman, TomTom, and Mio, as well as in telephone and computer software systems. Recognized globally as "The GPS Girl," Jacobsen's voice is featured in over a billion GPS and smartphone devices. Her empowerment brand "The GPS Girl" offers keynotes that blend motivational speaking with musical performances, including her notable "Recalculating - Directions for Driving Performance Success" keynote.

Jacobsen has also served as the President of the New York Chapter of the National Speakers Association (2015) and performed at the national conference singing "The Star-Spangled Banner," as well as for the NSA Youth Convention in San Diego (2014). Her keynote engagements include appearances at the Global Speakers Summit in Vancouver in 2013, the World Meetings Forum in Cancun (2014), and the World Contact Forum in Mexico City (2014).

She has performed her one-woman show at the piano in Off-Broadway theaters such as Stage 72 at The Triad, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, and Joe's Pub at The Public Theater, The Duplex, and The Bitter End. Jacobsen is an author of two books, "Recalculate - Directions for Driving Performance Success" (2015) and "The GPS Girl's Road Map for Your Future" (2011). She continues to be an active speaker and entertainer for corporate events globally, known for her unique blend of entertainment and practical guidance.