Karen King is a Managing Director of Silver Lake, the world’s leading large-scale technology investment firm, with over $80 billion in assets under management and committed capital. Silver Lake differentiates itself from other firms of similar size by focusing its resources on investing in and cultivating market-leading businesses specifically in and around the technology industry, with deep tech sector experience and an unparalleled network of relationships throughout the tech ecosystem.  More recently, Silver Lake has also been investing in media, sports, and entertainment. The Firm is co-headquartered in Silicon Valley and New York. Corporate Board Roles In July 2021, Karen became an independent director on the Board of the public company, Franklin Resources (aka Franklin Templeton), the global leader in asset management founded in New York in 1947. She serves on both the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. In addition, Karen is a member of the Board of Silver Lake’s portfolio company, Relativity, the leading global eDiscovery platform used ubiquitously throughout the legal and compliance universe.  Karen is very involved with Relativity, including increasing connectivity between the company and numerous law firms and corporate customers where she has deep relationships. She serves on the Compensation Committee of Relativity. Previously, Karen served on the Board of Aras Corporation, an enterprise software provider of product life cycle management (PLM) solutions, where she was integrally engaged with the CEO and other senior management in numerous aspects of the company’s business, including leading a very successful process with the CEO on behalf of investors to sell the company.  She served on both the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee. Karen also previously served on the Board of Serena Software, an SEC-registered enterprise-level IT application development and deployment solutions provider. On behalf of Serena, Karen co-led a broad auction culminating in the sale of the company to a combination of HGGC and the company’s original founder. She was instrumental in selecting a financial advisor and overseeing and facilitating its bidding process, as well as in negotiations and execution with the acquirers.  Karen served on Serena’s Compensation Committee and, in that capacity, worked to establish compensation packages that would incentivize senior management to stay through the merger. Karen also served on the Legal Committee of the Board of Skype Technologies and oversaw the settlement and negotiation of bet-the-company litigation with the founders of the company over the rights to the company’s core technology.  The securing of those IP rights yielded Skype’s investors, including Silver Lake, significantly more value in the company’s subsequent sale to Microsoft. Silver Lake Career Karen joined Silver Lake over 17 years ago and she has been involved in countless major transactions for the Firm ever since.  Regularly called upon to help solve difficult, complicated, and sensitive matters, Karen frequently advises directors and senior management of many of Silver Lake’s portfolio companies. She has been involved in multiple acquisitions, divestitures, financings, IPO processes, intellectual property litigations, investigations, responses to activist initiatives, restructurings, and various other major and often complex events at numerous companies. When Michael Dell partnered with Silver Lake to take his eponymous company private, she was integrally involved in the transaction, including in a shareholder engagement initiative to achieve the vote and in staving off an activist after the deal was signed, as well as defending against class action litigation and addressing dissenters exercising appraisal rights. During the pandemic, Karen was deeply involved in Global Blue’s combination with a SPAC controlled by Third Point, which became a complex sign to close transactions once COVID-19 brought travel in Europe and tax-free shopping to a grinding halt.  The deal has now successfully closed, and Global Blue is a publicly-traded company. Karen has had a myriad of responsibilities at Silver Lake. As Chief Legal Officer, she oversees a global legal and compliance team that are immersed in all aspects of the Firm’s business, from fundraising to deal execution to portfolio company monitoring and liquidity. She has also served in the additional capacity of Silver Lake’s interim Global Head of Communications in addition to her other duties. And she co-oversees the Firm’s Government Relations function. Karen is involved in all of Silver Lake’s business units, including its flagship $20B fund that invests in large-scale tech and tech-enabled companies, its structured equity and debt fund targeting the same opportunity set, its late-stage flex capital fund for pre-IPO growth businesses, and Silver Lake’s new 25-year term Long Term Capital strategy. Karen works for hand in glove with the Managing Partners and was actively involved in facilitating and negotiating the transition from the founders of Silver Lake to current firm leadership, as well as in the sale of GP stakes in the firm to each of CalPERS, DYAL, and Mubadala. Among other things, Karen is a member of the Firm’s Oversight Committee to address Cybersecurity risks and sits on its Conflicts and Risk Committees, as well as on the Valuation Committees of each of Silver Lake’s funds.  She also serves on the ESG, Charitable Commitment, and ED&I Committees. Additional Experience Karen came to Silver Lake from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where she advised on disclosure, corporate governance, and securities law for public companies, as well as capital markets transactions and domestic and cross-border M&A. She spent time in each of STB’s New York and London offices and then helped open Simpson’s Palo Alto office in 2000. Through her work overseas, particularly while stationed in London, and her engagement with Silver Lake’s portfolio companies and investors in places like Luxembourg, China, and the Middle East, Karen has had ample experience in international business.  Karen is half-Japanese and went to middle school in Tokyo. She also studied abroad in Berlin in college and received a certificate in German. In addition to her role at Silver Lake, Karen is a member of Broadway Angels, a network of senior established women who invest in early-stage opportunities through a collective syndicate. In addition, she is actively involved with the Operator Collective, a consortium of operating execs who have combined their talents, resources, and networks as investors. Recognized as a “Woman of Achievement” by Legal Momentum (formerly the NOW Legal Defense Fund), Karen has also been named to the “GC Powerlist” by Legal 500 and as a “Woman Leader in Tech Law” by the Recorder. She was also profiled in Penn Law’s: “Women Leaders in Law and Business: Trailblazers, Innovators, and Disrupters in the Law.” In addition, she was named by PE Hub as one of ten women who are smashing through private equity’s glass ceiling. Education/Other Board Roles Karen earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, where she serves on the Board of Visitors for Duke’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and is a member of the Athletic Leadership Group and Legacy Basketball Fund group. She previously served on the Board of Visitors for Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Karen is also a graduate of Harvard Law School, where she and her husband were Vice-Chairs of the 20th reunion giving committee for their class and are now Co-Chairs for their 25^th reunion. She also serves on the Executive Advisory Board of the Berkeley Center for Law & Business. Karen is a Trustee and the Vice-Chair of the Board of Menlo School. Having served as Board Chair and Head of the CEO Search Committee, Karen is also on the Board of the American Leadership Forum - Silicon Valley (ALF). In addition, she has also served on the Silicon Valley Leadership Council of the Global Fund for Children.  She also previously served on the Investment Committee for Sacred Hearts Schools – Atherton. And she and her husband are Trustees of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation. Karen lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Greg, who was previously the General Counsel of Veritas Technologies.  They have a son, Charlie, who is a junior at Menlo School.  Their daughter, Caroline, is in her second year of college at Duke.  They also have two little Alaskan Klee Kais (or miniature huskies) named Kodi and Momo.

An accomplished leader, C-Suite executive, and corporate board member, Simone Wu has over 30 years of experience in technology, telecommunications, travel, hospitality, and franchising. She brings a pragmatic global perspective as well as a blend of business, strategic, legal, and governance skills gained from her experience with wide-ranging entities from Fortune 500 public companies to start-ups to not-for-profit associations and organizations. Ms. Wu currently serves on the board of directors of Alarm.com (Nasdaq: ALRM), a leading platform for the intelligently connected property, and is a member of the Compensation Committee. She is also senior vice president, general counsel, corporate secretary and external affairs for Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world’s largest and most successful lodging franchisors, with 22 brands, more than 7,500 hotels, and nearly 650,000 rooms in 46 countries and territories. At Choice Hotels, Ms. Wu is an integral member of the C-Suite and currently leads the legal, corporate secretary, risk management, and government affairs functions. During her tenure with the company, she has also leveraged her broad-based background and expertise to lead procurement services, corporate communications, public and media relations, and serve as chief compliance officer. Prior to joining Choice Hotels in 2012, Ms. Wu served as executive vice president, general counsel and administration overseeing the legal, public policy, and human resources teams for XO Communications (since acquired by Verizon), a leading nationwide provider of advanced IP communications, managed network, and IT infrastructure services. Previously, Ms. Wu led the international legal team at MCI (since acquired by Verizon), negotiated technology transactions as part of the AOL Business Affairs function, and held key roles in two technology start-ups. She began her legal career practicing corporate and communications law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Ms. Wu also currently serves on the boards of directors of Reading is Fundamental (RIF), an organization committed to creating a nation of lifelong readers by inspiring the joy of reading, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the largest hotel association in the U.S. representing all segments of the industry. She previously served on the boards of the International Franchise Association (IFA); Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA); Association of Corporate Counsel – National Capital Region (ACC-NCR); and The Inkwell, a resource for new play development. Ms. Wu has frequently been recognized as a business and legal leader, including by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (In-House Diversity Leadership Award 2023); Corporate Counsel Women of Color (Diamond Award 2021); the Financial Times (The FT Global General Counsel Report 2020); WomenInc. (Top Corporate Counsel Women 2019); the Washington Business Journal (Women Who Mean Business Award 2018); and the National Law Journal (America’s 50 Outstanding General Counsel 2016). She earned her undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Michigan, with high distinction and high honors, and her law degree from Columbia University where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.

Summary of Key Contributions

• 40+ years of business and legal experience in diverse industries advising multinationals and entrepreneurs in a global economy.
• Extensive knowledge of cross-cultural and international business and geopolitical relations, with a particular focus on Asia.
• Strong relationships with decision-makers, especially in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Japan.
• Independent Director experience at a NYSE – listed company and an international trust bank.
• Management experience in both start-up and mature corporate operations as well as multi-geographical and diverse business operations.
• Recognized leader in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the community.
• Language and cultural fluency in Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and French.

Professional Experience Alice Young Advisory LLC (2015-Present).  Asia business strategy and consulting to companies, entrepreneurs and individuals doing business or investing in Asia. Founder and Principal Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP (1994 – 2015). A leading international law firm, with more than 1000 lawyers in 15 offices worldwide, representing public and private companies, governmental entities, financial institutions, and other organizations in matters around the world. Chair of the Asia Pacific Practice (Partner 1994-2013, Special Counsel 2013-2015, Retired in 2015)

• Head of practice team of lawyers based in the U.S. and Asia.
• Strategic advisor and lead counsel to corporate clients and entrepreneurs on their business activities throughout Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and China.
• Counsel to senior management and Boards of Directors on complex cross-border transactions and Asia legal and governmental strategies in various industries, including banking, cosmetics, apparel, home office products, consumer products, industrial, manufacturing, distribution, outsourcing, technology, food and beverages, insurance, financial services, real estate, energy, telecommunications, satellite, and Internet.
• Interaction with senior government officials, decision-makers and strategists in Asia and the U.S.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP (1987 – 1994). Global law firm with approximately 550 lawyers who provide a full range of financial and business legal services to many of the world’s leading financial, industrial, and commercial enterprises, as well as governments, institutions, and individuals. Partner and Head of the Japan Practice

• Responsible for a significant increase in U.S. and global clients.
• Advised clients on legal and business transactions and coordinated with Tokyo and Hong Kong offices.

Graham & James, now Squire Patton Boggs (1981 – 1987). A global law firm with more than 850 lawyers in 30 offices and 14 countries. Founder and Resident Partner, New York Office

• Founded and managed all aspects of the New York office operations, expanding from one to 30 lawyers.
• First minority, first woman and youngest lawyer to head New York law firm office (1981).
• Successful in breaking even financially after two years, an all-time record for New York branch law offices, and was profitable every year thereafter.
• Served on Firmwide Management Committee responsible for finance, business development, and domestic and international offices.
• Developed new business in areas such as banking, technology, insurance, industrials, and consumer products.

Coudert Brothers (1974 – 1981). Law firm specializing in international law (now defunct).

• Pioneer American lawyer in early 1970s, including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines (from 1974), and China (from 1979).
• Based in New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

Board and Committee Memberships

• Experience on international corporate board during transitions, acquisitions, and mergers.
• Experience in audit, finance, development, and leadership succession on corporate and non-profit boards.

Corporate Boards:

• AXIS Capital Holdings Ltd. – Member of the Board of Directors and Audit and Corporate Governance Committees (2013-2017).  NYSE- listed (AXS) leader in global specialty insurance and reinsurance, headquartered in Bermuda with offices in New York, London, Ireland and Singapore.
• Mizuho Trust & Banking Co. (USA) – Member of the Board of Directors and Executive and Examining Committees (2000–2017).  U.S. trust subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, the second largest financial institution in Japan.
• Yasuda Bank & Trust Company (U.S.A.) – Director – first woman to serve on a Japanese bank New York subsidiary board (1988–1994); rejoined 1999-2000 during 4-bank merger – renamed DKF Trust Company (USA) and then Mizuho Trust & Banking Co. (USA).

Member of the Following Advisory and Non-Profit Boards:

• Aspen Institute – Lifetime Trustee (Audit Committee, Finance Committee, Global Leadership Committee, International Committee, Public Policy Programs Committee) (1988–Present)
• Asia Foundation – Trustee (Development Committee, Program Review Committee, Partners in Asia Committee, Presidential Search Committee) (2003–2011; 2012-Present)
• Council on Foreign Relations – Chairman’s Forum (2000–2005); Life Membership Committee (2008–2018); Member (1978–Present)
• Committee of 100 – Member (former Vice Chair, Director, Membership Committee Chair, Leadership Transition Committee Chair, Northeast Region Chair) (1993–Present)
• Deloitte & Touche – Member (Chair, 2010-2012) of Deloitte Diversity External Advisory Board (2005–2012)
• Yale University, Davenport College – Associate Fellow (2007–Present)

Awards and Recognition

• Yale Medal (2020)
• Sandra Day O’Connor DirectWomen Distinguished Alumnae Award (2017)
• Chambers Women in Law – Outstanding Achievement Award (2015)
• National Association of Asian American Professionals (New York) – Most Influential APA New Yorkers Award (2013)
• Boy Scouts of America (NY Councils) – Distinguished Woman of the Year (2011)
• Yale Asian American Alumni Leadership Award (2011)
• New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ (2010)
• ASCEND “Inspirational Leadership Award” (2010)
• DirectWomen Board Institute – one of 20 selectees (2008)

Selected Speaking Engagements

• SCMP China Conference (New York) – “US-China Relations” (December 2019)
• DirectWomen Alumnae Institute (New York) - "Women on Corporate Boards” (October 2017)
• Harvard Law School Symposium - "Corporate Governance” (October 2014)
• DirectWomen Alumnae Institute (New York) - "Women on Corporate Boards” (June2013)
• Aspen Institute Cultural Diplomacy Summit (Tokyo) - "Global Governance and Development – Conversation with Madame Ogata” (September 2012)
• Yale University - "Emerging Markets – Can Asia Keep Up?” (March 2012)
• Moody’s Corporation (New York) - "Doing Business in China and India” (February 2012)
• Harvard Alumni Summit - "Asia Rising: Opportunities and Risks” (October 2010)
• Asia Society (New York) - "Asian-Americans Changing the Landscape” (May 2010)
• Harvard Asia Business Conference - "Business and Government — Public & Private Partnerships in China” (March 2010)
• Wide Angle, PBS Interview (“The People’s Court – China”) (July 2007)

Media

• The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, PBS (“US-China-Taiwan Relations”)
• The Charlie Rose Show, PBS (“The Hong Kong Handover”)
• ABC Nightline (“Asian American Experience”)
• CNN International
• Feature articles in: The New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, Business Week, Newsweek, and The National Law Journal

Education

• Harvard Law School – JD (cum laude; East Asian Legal Studies Program; research assistant and advisor to the Admissions Committee) (1974).
• Yale College – AB (magna cum laude, Graduation with Distinction and Honors in major – East Asian Studies; first class of women graduates (1971); Bates Fellowship to Japan to study under Yasunari Kawabata, the first Japanese Nobel Prize Winner in Literature (1970).