Kara oversees housing and program operations across Alameda, San Francisco, Solano, Sonoma, and Napa counties, supporting directors who lead Abode's teams and programs throughout these communities. She is committed to delivering low-barrier services that reach the most vulnerable people, with a strong focus on Housing First and harm reduction principles. Kara also cultivates key relationships with community partners and funders, develops new programs and partnerships, and strengthens systems to improve service delivery.  

Kara joined Abode in 2004 after more than a decade of managing programs serving youth experiencing homelessness and people with disabilities. She served for more than 10 years as Abode's Director of Health and Wellness, where she helped launch Project Welcome Home, California's first Pay for Success program, and the Greater HOPE Full-Service Partnership. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kara led Abode's response in Alameda County, overseeing the rapid launch of six Safer Ground hotel sites and three isolation and quarantine sites. She also designed and implemented the Project Roomkey Housing Transition program, which helped more than 600 households move from hotel sites toward permanent housing.

Today, Kara's teams administer Alameda County's Flex Pool, and RCAP, a cash assistance program supporting people transitioning from Rapid Rehousing. Her portfolio also includes the recently awarded Coordinated Entry contract in Solano County.  

Kara holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, East Bay.