Kara started at Penquis in 2009 as the Deputy Director and Operations Manager for the Penquis Child Development Department and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Penquis in June, 2014. Kara works with the Board of Directors to refine and implement the strategic plan while ensuring that the budget, staff, and priorities are aligned with Penquis’ core mission.
Prior to Penquis, she worked as a mental health casework supervisor for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services and as a Children’s Service Coordinator providing direct services and support to families experiencing domestic violence. Kara has also worked as a Family Therapist and a Child Development Specialist and an independent consultant, providing training and consulting services to parents, mental health providers, early childhood specialists, and nonprofit and school staff.
She has volunteered on the Piscataquis Case Resolution Committee, a number of Child Abuse and Neglect Councils, and the Malama A Ho’opili Pono Healthy Start Project. Kara holds a BA in theatre from the University of Maine, a BA in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and a Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Argosy University, Hawaii.