Karen Lehtonen is senior vice president of innovation and product development with LION, where she has worked since 2000. Prior to joining LION, Karen worked for Intertek Testing. 

An ASTM International member since 2000, Lehtonen is an active member of the committees on color and appearance (E12); homeland security applications (E54); and protective clothing and equipment (F23). She is the immediate past chair of F23, and she has served as sub chair for the subcommittees on PPE conformity assessment, interoperability, and compatibility (F23.50) and planning (F23.95). For her work with F23, she has received the Award of Achievement (2016), Award of Appreciation (2021), and Outgoing Chair Award (2024). She is currently on the Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) Board, an affiliate of ASTM. 

Lehtonen received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology.