In the heart of Israel’s dynamic business landscape stands a leader whose passion for innovation redefines how people work, connect, and thrive. Karin Barry Sagy, CEO and Israel Country Manager at International Workplace Group (IWG), believes a workspace is more than just a place—a catalyst for creativity, collaboration, and growth. With an extraordinary career that blends strategic acumen and a deep understanding of evolving work cultures, Karin oversees transforming flexible workspaces into hubs of opportunity and inspiration.
From corporate boardrooms to cutting-edge co-working environments, Karin’s journey reflects her dedication to breaking boundaries and building bridges—between industries, ideas, and people. Under her leadership, IWG has expanded its footprint across Israel and redefined what it means to empower businesses of all sizes with agile, future-ready solutions.
Her leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful: “Great spaces nurture great minds.” Guided by this belief, Karin is shaping environments where innovation flourishes, partnerships are forged, and careers are built. With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, she stands as a beacon of progress in the evolving world of workspace, one that is as inspiring as the communities she helps to create.
Leading with Purpose in FMCG
Karin’s transition into leadership roles within the FMCG industry was driven by a deep passion for consumer behavior and a commitment to making a meaningful impact through effective leadership. She recognized early on that FMCG companies play a crucial role in consumers’ daily lives and was eager to contribute to a sector that influences quality of life at its core.
Her journey began with extensive experience in various commercial roles, where she gained expertise in supply chain management, sales and marketing, and customer engagement. As she advanced into management positions, her ability to lead diverse teams and foster a collaborative environment proved instrumental in driving successful projects.
Throughout her career, Karin has embraced challenges as opportunities for growth. Each leadership role has further strengthened her strategic thinking and decision-making skills. Today, she remains committed to achieving business objectives while mentoring the next generation of leaders, particularly women, to promote a more inclusive and equitable workplace.
Driving Growth & Innovation at IWG
Karin is responsible for steering the company’s strategic vision across several key areas:
- Setting Strategic Direction: Karin defines and communicates IWG’s vision, ensuring alignment with global objectives while adapting to the unique dynamics of the Israeli market. She analyzes market trends, identifies growth opportunities, and positions IWG as a leader in the flexible workspace sector.
- Operational Excellence: She oversees operational efficiency across locations, ensuring exceptional service and value for clients. By optimizing workspace offerings and enhancing the customer experience, she ensures IWG meets the evolving needs of businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Team Leadership and Development: Karin fosters a collaborative, innovative company culture that prioritizes personal and professional growth. By investing in her team’s development, she ensures IWG has the right talent to execute its strategic vision.
- Stakeholder Engagement: She actively engages with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and investors, maintaining open communication and reinforcing IWG’s value proposition.
Through these responsibilities, Karin drives IWG’s growth and innovation in Israel, creating a thriving environment for employees and clients.
Leading with Empowerment & Vision
Karin’s philosophy defines her leadership as rooted in empowerment, collaboration, and results-driven decision-making. The following core principles guide her approach:
- Empowerment and Trust: She believes in fostering autonomy and responsibility within her team. By delegating effectively and encouraging ownership, she cultivates a motivated workforce that drives innovation and growth.
- Open Communication: Transparency and active listening are central to her leadership style. She promotes open dialogue, values feedback, and nurtures a culture of inclusivity where every team member feels heard and respected.
- Continuous Learning: Karin encourages lifelong learning and professional growth. She motivates her team to embrace challenges, develop new skills, and view setbacks as opportunities for development.
- Diversity and Inclusion: She champions diverse perspectives, believing they lead to richer ideas and more effective solutions. She is committed to fostering an environment where everyone’s contributions are valued and celebrated.
- Resilience and Adaptability: In an advancing business landscape, she emphasizes the importance of resilience. She inspires her team to embrace change and see challenges as opportunities to innovate and excel.
By adhering to these principles, Karin creates a positive and dynamic organizational culture that nurtures talent, drives performance, and fosters professional and personal fulfillment.
Values That Drive Leadership & Growth
Karin attributes her professional and personal growth to a set of core values and habits that shape her leadership approach and decision-making:
- Integrity: She upholds honesty and ethical leadership, fostering trust among colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Integrity serves as the foundation of her decision-making and professional reputation.
- Commitment to Lifelong Learning: Karin embraces continuous learning and self-improvement. She stays updated with industry trends while expanding her knowledge and perspective to enhance her leadership skills.
- Resilience and Perseverance: She views challenges as opportunities for growth, maintaining a solution-oriented mindset to navigate obstacles effectively. Her ability to adapt and persevere has been instrumental in her success.
- Empathy: Understanding the perspectives and emotions of others allows her to foster a supportive, inclusive workplace. She prioritizes strong relationships, collaboration, and team engagement.
- Goal Orientation: Setting clear, achievable goals keeps her focused and motivated. This habit enables her to track progress, celebrate milestones, and refine strategies for continuous success.
- Mindfulness and Self-Reflection: Karin incorporates mindfulness into her routine, evaluating experiences and decisions to enhance personal growth, emotional well-being, and work-life balance.
By integrating these principles into her leadership approach, Karin creates a strong foundation for navigating professional complexities while building meaningful connections and fostering a culture of growth.
Achieving Success with Balance & Purpose
Karin believes that true success lies in balancing professional achievements with personal fulfillment. She follows a structured approach to ensure both career growth and well-being:
- Defining Success Holistically: Karin sets clear goals in both professional and personal spheres, ensuring her ambitions align with her values and priorities.
- Effective Time Management: She strategically allocates time for work, family, and personal interests, using planning techniques to maintain a sustainable balance.
- Purpose-Driven Leadership: She actively engages in initiatives that align with her passions, such as social responsibility and employee well-being, creating impact beyond business objectives.
- Building a Strong Support Network: Surrounding herself with trusted colleagues, mentors, and loved ones enables her to navigate challenges while celebrating successes together.
- Prioritizing Self-Care: Recognizing that well-being fuels productivity, she integrates mindfulness, exercise, and relaxation into her routine to maintain peak performance.
- Fostering Work-Life Balance in Teams: As a leader, Karin advocates for a culture that values flexibility, collaboration, and well-being, empowering her team to thrive both professionally and personally.
By integrating these values, Karin ensures long-term success, fulfillment, and a positive impact on her organization and those around her.
Top of Form
Staying Ahead in a Dynamic Market
Karin is committed to staying ahead of market trends and driving innovation in the workplace. She achieves this through:
- Continuous Learning & Research: Actively engage in industry research, attend global conferences, and network with thought leaders to gain fresh insights.
- Fostering a Culture of Innovation: Encouraging creative brainstorming and open collaboration within her team to explore new ideas and solutions.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Implement feedback loops to understand customer needs and ensure innovation aligns with real-world demands.
- Data-Driven Strategy: Regularly analyzing market data and consumer behavior to identify emerging trends and swiftly adapt strategies for a competitive edge.
By combining proactive research, strategic adaptability, and a culture of continuous improvement, Karin ensures that IWG remains at the forefront of industry transformation.
Leading Through Change with Resilience
Karin faced one of her most defining leadership challenges during a significant organizational restructuring to improve efficiency and competitiveness in difficult times.
- Navigating Change: Managing team realignments and operational shifts brought uncertainty and resistance among employees and clients.
- Transparent Communication & Empathy: Karin prioritized open dialogue, actively listening to concerns, and ensuring clarity in decision-making, which helped foster trust and collaboration.
- Strategic Adaptability: The experience reinforced the importance of resilience, agility, and a supportive culture in overcoming challenges.
This challenge reshaped Karin’s leadership approach, strengthening her focus on inspiring teams, fostering open communication, and driving strategic transformation with confidence and empathy.
Keys to Impactful Leadership in Sales & Operations
Karin advises aspiring sales, trade, and operations leadership professionals to prioritize building strong relationships and deeply understanding customer needs. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning to stay ahead of industry trends and best practices.
Collaboration is key—aligning with cross-functional teams fosters innovation and practical problem-solving. Karin also highlights the need for resilience and adaptability in an ever-evolving business landscape. Lastly, she encourages seeking mentorship and being open to feedback, as these elements are essential for growth, refining leadership skills, and making a lasting impact in the field.
Shaping the Future of Workplace Solutions
Karin envisions the future of workplace solutions evolving toward greater flexibility, hybrid work models, and a heightened focus on employee well-being and sustainability. As organizations increasingly prioritize collaboration and innovation, adaptable workspace solutions will become indispensable.
To ensure IWG’s sustained success, Karin emphasizes the importance of investing in technology that enhances user experience and operational efficiency. Expanding IWG’s portfolio of flexible workspace offerings will also be a key priority, catering to the diverse needs of businesses ranging from large enterprises to remote teams.
Additionally, she is committed to integrating eco-friendly practices into operations and designing workspaces that promote wellness. By staying attuned to market trends and prioritizing customer feedback, Karin aims to solidify IWG’s position as a leader in innovative workplace solutions, empowering businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Innovation
Karin hopes to leave a lasting impact by fostering a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and continuous growth within the organizations she has led. She envisions creating an environment where team members feel valued, inspired, and encouraged to take initiative, driving personal and professional development.
Beyond internal growth, Karin aims to be remembered for championing innovative practices that adapt to evolving market demands, ensuring long-term organizational success. Ultimately, she aspires to inspire the next generation of leaders to prioritize integrity, empathy, and resilience—creating a ripple effect that shapes a more positive and forward-thinking workplace culture across the industry.
