Our Executive Team
Leading with Passion and Purpose
Karen Wilson-Thissen
General Counsel and Secretary
Karen Wilson Thissen joined General Mills in June 2022 as General Counsel and Secretary, overseeing the Company’s Law Department, Government Affairs and Global Security.
Prior to joining General Mills, Karen spent 17 years at Ameriprise Financial, Inc., serving in roles of increasing responsibility, overseeing a variety of legal, compliance, government affairs and governance functions. She served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel from 2017 to May 2022. Before joining Ameriprise Financial, Inc., she was a partner at the law firm of Faegre & Benson LLP (now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP).
Karen earned her bachelor’s in finance from Georgetown University and her J.D. from the University of Chicago.
Karen and her husband Paul live in Minneapolis and have three children. She serves on the Board of the Northside Achievement Zone and is a member of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable.
Education
- Georgetown University, Bachelor's degree
- University of Chicago, Juris Doctor