For more than two decades, Kara Pappas has connected people with opportunities to advance what they care about, translating their investment into tangible impact.

Kara has served in chief executive and chief advancement leadership roles with local and national nonprofit organizations, guiding strategy and driving significant organizational growth. She has led multimillion-dollar comprehensive fundraising campaigns, built enduring philanthropic partnerships, and helped organizations multiply capacity to serve their communities.

A strategic and relationship-centered executive, Kara brings an enterprise-wide perspective to nonprofit leadership, integrating strategy, operations, governance, philanthropy, and communications to build stronger, more effective organizations. She brings people, ideas, and resources together to solve challenges and translate ambitious goals into meaningful results.

For Kara, Mission to Live Foundation’s purpose is deeply personal. As the spouse of a retired service member whose career spanned the United States Marine Corps and Army, she understands the sacrifices of military service and their impact on families. Her father’s service as a firefighter has shaped her understanding and deep appreciation for the first responder community as well.

Kara believes that veterans and first responders, whose lives are marked by service, sacrifice, and commitment to others, deserve the same care and compassion they so readily extend to their communities. She is especially drawn to Mission to Live Foundation’s commitment to expanding access for healing, mental health care, and the opportunity to thrive.

Kara earned a Doctor of Management in Nonprofit Leadership and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She teaches graduate-level nonprofit fundraising at Colorado State University and guest lectures on nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and organizational management.

Known for her warmth, authenticity, and relentless pursuit of solutions, Kara believes the strongest organizations are built on trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence. She fosters environments where all voices are heard and valued, and where staff, donors, volunteers, and community partners are empowered to contribute. For Kara, the true measure of leadership is what we make possible for others.

Kara lives in Northern Colorado with her husband and their three rescue dogs.