Karin Quiñones

Karin Quiñones has spent nearly 20 years helping leaders grow their skills, strengthen their teams, and navigate the real-world challenges of leadership. She holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s degree from Rice University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University. Since 2008, she has taught at the Cox School of Business at SMU in Dallas and partners with the University of Richmond to support leaders and organizations in Richmond, VA, and beyond. Her work spans industries and leadership levels, from first-time managers to seasoned executives.

Karin brings a practical, engaging approach to leadership development, grounded in research and built for everyday use. Her areas of expertise include leading change, building effective teams, navigating power and influence, shaping organizational culture, high-impact presentations, project management, and core management skills such as feedback, coaching, delegation, and time management. She has taught undergraduate, MBA, and executive audiences in both in-person and online settings. Before teaching, Karin worked in usability engineering and as a research scientist in information technology.

Karin developed a course on Executive Leadership, originally approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, to support military service members transitioning to the civilian workforce and values her ongoing work with this group. She also designed a project management course in which students partnered with local nonprofits, several of which gained media attention for their impact. She has also been nominated for SMU’s HOPE Professor of the Year award and served on a university steering committee supporting student research and community outreach.

Outside the classroom, Karin is an avid runner, hiker, and cyclist who has completed 20 marathons (including five Boston Marathons and the Paris Marathon), a half marathon up Pike’s Peak in Colorado, and most recently Ironman Texas, a full-distance triathlon that includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run, which she trained for and completed alongside her husband and son. She and her husband have also cycled from Niagara Falls to Manhattan and from D.C. to Pittsburgh. Karin enjoys serving in community leadership roles, including as an Eagle Coordinator for the Boy Scouts and as a troop leader and “Cookie Manager” for the Girl Scouts. She is also a lifelong reader who typically finishes at least a book a week.