Page 149 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2025

presented by South Mississippi Living magazine
Karen Sock
President and CEO
After a distinguished career in hospitality and gaming, Karen Sock transitioned to consulting, applying her expertise to deliver meaningful impacts for businesses and organizations. In 1996, she made history when Harrah’s Entertainment named her General Manager of the Original Harrah’s Casino in Tunica, becoming the nation’s first African American female to lead a full-service casino. She credits that milestone and the opportunities that followed for shaping the skills she uses today.
Sock works with both for-profit and nonprofit clients, enjoying the chance to provide results while building lasting relationships. A committed philanthropist, she created the CEO Talent Show benefiting United Way of South Mississippi, now in its tenth year, and co-founded Pathways2Possibilities, a 12-year-old career expo that has reached over 135,000 eighth graders.
She also serves as board chair for the Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute, sits on several boards including the Renaissance Community Loan Fund and Coast Chamber Foundation, and is an advisory board member for the Lighthouse Business and Professional Women’s organization, whose Woman of Achievement Award bears her name.
Sock was also recently appointed by the Mississippi State Department of Health to chair the Comprehensible Cancer Control Coastal Coalition.
Her advice to young women: pursue your goals with
preparation and persistence, keep learning, and build
positive relationships that support and inspire.
LOGO
SOCK ENTERPRISES INC.
P.O. Box 8821, Biloxi 901.651.7167 karensock52@gmail.com
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net September 2025 | 149