Her contributions include work as an artist, organizer, advisor, matchmaker of people and resources, advocate and writer. Kara's experience includes designing, building, supporting, and sustaining local and national youth development efforts. She currently works as a program specialist with an extensive portfolio of youth serving programs, including programs for tribal youth, national mentoring initiatives, children's advocacy centers, and related training and technical assistance efforts. In 2015 she was awarded a United States Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General Award for Outstanding Service for work on the White House Tribal Youth Gathering. She holds a BSW from University of Wisconsin, Madison and an MSW with a specialization in social and community development from University of Maryland, Baltimore. Kara is the former Executive Director of the Southeast Youth Academy, the Founding Director of MICA's Community Art Corps AmeriCorps program and an MA in Community Arts faculty member.