De-mystifying Systems & Amplifying Voices for Social Change

Raised by a single mother, a social worker, within a family of change-makers, Karla grew up with a sharp awareness of the systemic inequities facing her communities. This upbringing profoundly shaped her worldview and remains the bedrock of her personal and professional values.

Karla’s advocacy is rooted in personal and professional experiences that included multiple forms of action: she has demystified state government by coaching parents for legislative visits at the Illinois State Capitol, championed same-day voter registration as a board member of Chicago Votes, and co-led the group that developed the nation’s first K-12 arts education accountability measure.

Whether she is in Washington, D.C., defending the NEA or working at the grassroots level in any city across the country, Karla believes everyone has a vital role in shaping our collective future through legislative advocacy, and has dedicated a large part of her work to bridging the gap.