Karen Borgrud
Senior Technical Designer
Professional Overview
Karen Borgrud is a seasoned technical designer with over 30 years of experience in the apparel industry. As the Senior Technical Designer at Duluth Trading Company, she leverages her deep expertise in product development, pattern engineering, and manufacturing oversight to deliver high-quality, innovative designs that meet the evolving needs of the brand's diverse customer base.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the Senior Technical Designer at Duluth Trading Company since 2017, Karen is responsible for leading the technical design process for the company's full product portfolio, which includes men's and women's workwear, outdoor apparel, and lifestyle clothing. In this role, she collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to translate conceptual designs into production-ready technical specifications, ensuring seamless manufacturing and adherence to quality standards. Under her guidance, the technical design team has achieved a 20% reduction in sample iterations and a 15% improvement in first-pass approval rates, contributing to increased efficiency and cost savings.
Career Progression
Prior to joining Duluth Trading Company, Karen held various technical design and management roles, including Apparel Technical Designer at Trek Bicycle Corporation, Technical Designer at Lands' End, and Technical Design Manager at Amerex Group. Throughout her career, she has developed a reputation for her ability to solve complex product challenges, optimize production processes, and mentor junior designers, helping them to hone their technical skills and achieve their professional goals.
Academic Background
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile and Apparel Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she graduated with honors and was recognized for her outstanding academic performance.
Areas of Expertise
- Technical design and pattern engineering
- Fabric and materials selection
- Product development lifecycle management
- Quality assurance and process optimization
- Cross-functional team leadership and collaboration
Professional Impact
Over the course of her career, Karen has been instrumental in the successful launch of numerous award-winning products, including Duluth Trading Company's best-selling Fire Hose work pants, which have generated over $50 million in revenue since their introduction. She is also an active member of the Outdoor Industry Association's Technical Design Committee, where she contributes her expertise to the development of industry-wide standards and guidelines.
Conclusion
With her exceptional technical skills, strong strategic vision, and collaborative leadership style, Karen Borgrud is poised to continue driving innovation and excellence within the apparel industry. She is committed to leveraging her extensive experience to create high-performing, sustainable products that enhance the lives of Duluth Trading Company's customers.
