Photo: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
I
t hardly seems possible today given Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, the 12th Man, and all that is the Seattle Seahawks, but when Karen Spencer joined the club, her role might not even have caused a stir at parties.
Karen Spencer
Seattle Seahawks / First & Goal Inc. |
Chief Financial Officer
Now a quarter-century in with the franchise, Spencer is part of the senior management of the team and its stadium group and is in charge of all budgets related to the Seahawks, including football operations. She works with all business departments, from ticketing to digital, setting the budgets and priorities. But back in 1991, when she arrived at the team from accounting firm Arthur Andersen, it wasn’t because of the club’s profile. She joined the team because she liked its small-company atmosphere.
“The main difference from when I joined the team is the popularity is off the charts,” she said. “You feel like a bit of a celebrity even if you are just the CFO.”
Spencer did not move up in the organization right away, even after Paul Allen acquired the club in 1996. In recent years, she points to team President Peter McLoughlin having been influential for how he’s empowered senior managers. “I became much more involved in day-to-day decisions,” she said. “No money went out the door without my approval.”
Spencer also credits Martha Fuller, who was CFO of Allen’s Vulcan Inc., for pushing her to move beyond what at one time was a limited accounting role with the Seahawks.
“She gave me the confidence I could do much more,” Spencer said.
— Daniel Kaplan
- Notable professional achievement: Over the past five years, under the leadership of our president, Peter McLoughlin, we have experienced sustained improvement across every measure of our financial performance. Playing a role in that success has been extremely rewarding as the CFO.
- Biggest professional disappointment: I experienced a bit of stagnation during the middle of my career. When Martha Fuller came in as CFO, she energized and inspired me. I regret not finding a mentor earlier in my career.
- Best advice received: When in a position to hire, hire someone smarter than you.
- Causes supported: My husband and I have three dogs and we are big advocates for the humane treatment of animals. Additionally, I’m the treasurer for the Seattle Seahawks Women’s Association, which benefits many causes, including FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment).
- Most memorable sporting event attended: Without a doubt, Super Bowl XLVIII.
- If my colleagues were asked to describe me, they would say I: Am compassionate. (At least, I hope that’s what they’d say.)
