Karmen Michael Smith is a cultural strategist, public theologian, author, and creative executive whose career has woven together storytelling, social impact, and high-end consumer experience.
Before founding Foragé Atelier™, Karmen shaped brand narrative and operational culture at some of the world's most influential institutions — from Ernst & Young in New York City to Apple, where he helped craft visual and experiential storytelling for one of the most iconic brands on earth.
He has led luxury food retail operations at Lady M, stewarding the precision and grace required to deliver a premium culinary product at scale. As the first Executive Director of Union Theological Seminary's Center for Social Justice, he built a nationally recognized platform for public theology and cultural change. His writing and scholarship continue to influence conversations on identity, belonging, and the sacredness of everyday ritual.
Foragé Atelier™ carries the imprint of this entire journey. Karmen brings strategic clarity, operational rigor, aesthetic excellence, and spiritual depth to every bottle produced — overseeing sourcing, recipe development, production, bottling, sealing, packaging design, brand narrative, and wholesale relationships. Integrity from concept to customer.
