Karen Berman author photo

Karen Berman

Karen Berman was a business and financial-literacy expert who co-founded the Business Literacy Institute. She coauthored Financial Intelligence and Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs, helping make finance accessible to nonfinancial managers. Drawing on programs used to train tens of thousands of employees, her work broadened financial understanding in workplaces worldwide.

Biography & Author's Journey

There are multiple notable authors/public figures named Karen Berman, so I want to avoid giving you the wrong biography. One is Karen Berman (June 1962–July 2013), the business-literacy expert, Business Literacy Institute cofounder, and coauthor of Financial Intelligence. Another is Dr. Karen Berman, the theatre scholar, former Georgia College chair, and co-editor of Stories of the Holocaust, who also has a current Substack presence. The “current newsletter reach” detail fits the second profile more naturally than the first. Which Karen Berman would you like me to write about? ((https://financialintelligencebook.com/the-authors/karen-berman/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes

quote
Fundamentally, financial intelligence boils down to four distinct skill sets
-Financial Intelligence
quote
We believe that finance is as much art as science
-Our Approach to Finance
quote
But how much do those managers really understand about finance?
-Are Your People Financially Literate?
quote
The idea of spending more stimulus money gives us pause
-More Stimulus Spending: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Costs?
quote
The vast majority of managers and leaders in Fortune 1000 companies have deficiencies in their basic financial knowledge
-The Dismal Financial IQ of US Managers
quote
The financial crisis that engulfed Wall Street and the economy in general, after all, provides a good backdrop for some important lessons
-Lehman’s Three Big Mistakes

Discover more

Business Acumen & Financial Knowledge

Business Acumen & Financial Knowledge

LEARNING PLAN

Business Acumen & Financial Knowledge

Financial literacy and business acumen are critical skills for professionals at all levels seeking to advance their careers or manage their own enterprises. This learning plan helps bridge the knowledge gap between technical expertise and financial decision-making, empowering individuals to contribute strategically to business growth and manage personal wealth effectively.

2 h 45 m4 Sections
Finance, Business, Communication & Habits

Finance, Business, Communication & Habits

LEARNING PLAN

Finance, Business, Communication & Habits

This comprehensive guide bridges the gap between financial literacy, professional strategy, and personal psychology. It is designed for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs who want to master the multifaceted skills required for modern career and life success.

2 h 6 m4 Sections
Finance, Investing, Business & Leadership

Finance, Investing, Business & Leadership

LEARNING PLAN

Finance, Investing, Business & Leadership

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between personal financial literacy and professional organizational leadership. It is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and managers looking to master both their private wealth and their ability to scale a business.

2 h 30 m4 Sections
Master Finance, Business & Self-Improvement

Master Finance, Business & Self-Improvement

LEARNING PLAN

Master Finance, Business & Self-Improvement

This comprehensive plan bridges the gap between financial literacy, corporate leadership, and personal psychology. It is ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals seeking to synchronize their financial growth with peak personal performance.

3 h 2 m4 Sections
Wealth with Peace: Naval, Burkeman & Manson

Wealth with Peace: Naval, Burkeman & Manson

LEARNING PLAN

Wealth with Peace: Naval, Burkeman & Manson

This curriculum bridges the gap between financial independence and mental tranquility by blending modern entrepreneurship with timeless philosophy. It is designed for ambitious professionals who want to achieve high-level success without sacrificing their sanity or sense of purpose.

2 h 19 m5 Sections
Finance

Finance

LEARNING PLAN

Finance

Financial literacy is essential for making informed decisions about money management, investing, and long-term wealth creation. This learning plan benefits anyone looking to take control of their financial future, from beginners seeking to establish sound money habits to intermediate investors wanting to refine their approach to markets and wealth building.

3 h 21 m4 Sections
Financial literacy and freedom.

Financial literacy and freedom.

LEARNING PLAN

Financial literacy and freedom.

Financial literacy is the foundation for creating wealth and achieving true financial freedom. This learning plan guides anyone looking to take control of their finances, from beginners seeking to establish good money habits to more experienced individuals wanting to create passive income and build lasting wealth.

3 h 13 m4 Sections
I am an mba student and a author i wanna learn finances management through leadership and emotions along with business intelligence

I am an mba student and a author i wanna learn finances management through leadership and emotions along with business intelligence

LEARNING PLAN

I am an mba student and a author i wanna learn finances management through leadership and emotions along with business intelligence

Modern financial management requires more than technical knowledge—it demands emotional intelligence and leadership acumen to navigate complex business environments. This learning plan bridges the gap between financial expertise and leadership development, ideal for MBA students and professionals seeking to elevate their financial decision-making through a multidimensional approach.

3 h 1 m4 Sections

Community Voices

"Until her untimely death last month, Karen Berman led a movement to engage all employees in improving a company's finances"

Inc

"Karen Berman ('84, Managerial Economics) of Woodland Hills, Calif., is a consultant with the Business Literacy Institute in Calabasas"

UC Davis Outlook

"Karen Berman and Joseph Knight are the founders of the Los Angeles-based Business Literacy Institute"

Barnes & Noble

"Karen Berman is founder and co-owner of the Business Literacy Institute, with Joe Knight"

Harvard Business Review

"Karen Berman is founder, president, and co-owner of the Business Literacy Institute"

Tantor Media

"The panel discussion will feature Karen Berman, founder of the Business Literacy Institute in west Los Angeles"

Los Angeles Times

"Karen Berman was the Co-Founder and President of the Business Literacy Institute, a consulting and training firm headquartered in Ogden, Utah"

FinNotes

FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now