ABOUT
BRIGHT
WORDS

A smiling woman with brown hair, glasses, and pearl earrings standing outdoors with green foliage in the background.

About Bright Words

Communication that creates clarity, builds trust and sparks action

Led by Director and Founder Karen Burr, Bright Words is a strategic communication consultancy that helps organisations navigate complexity, lead change and engage meaningfully with the people who matter most.

With more than two decades of experience across healthcare, government, education, corporate and community sectors, Karen brings deep insight, calm confidence and practical expertise to every project.

She’s worked on many high-profile, complex communication challenges — from leading strategic messaging for large-scale organisational change to managing sensitive stakeholder engagement and public engagement campaigns.

Karen’s approach is grounded in empathy and strategy. Whether she’s supporting a CEO to communicate with impact or guiding a team through change, she brings clarity to the conversation and purpose to the message.

A woman with glasses smiling with eyes closed, standing against a brick wall.

Meet Karen Burr

Director & Founder

Karen is a senior communication strategist with more than 24 years of experience in Melbourne, London and beyond. Her career spans senior roles with WorkSafe Victoria, the City of Melbourne, Department of Human Services, and communication consultancies such as SenateSHJ — where she advised national clients on reputation, stakeholder engagement and change communication.

Her portfolio includes:

  • Leading internal communication for the relocation of 700+ employees to regional Victoria

  • Developing the strategic communication approach for the closure of healthcare services

  • Supporting corporate ESG and transformation strategies

  • Managing community consultation on public infrastructure and policy

  • Coaching executive leaders on communication with clarity and confidence

Karen is a member of the Public Relations and Communications Association (APAC) and actively contributes to community and reconciliation initiatives.

Bright Words reflects Karen’s passion for the power of communication to cut through complexity and light the way forward.