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Kara Allen (she/ella) trusts that communities have the answers and is an unapologetic believer in young people and the adults that uplift them.
Dr. Allen is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in fostering organizational growth, community impact, and cultural transformation. Currently serving as the Chief People, Impact & Belonging Officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment, she has been a trailblazer in professional sports, steering key initiatives that encompass People and Culture, Community Engagement, Social Impact, Crisis Management, and Sustainability. Under her leadership, the organization has pioneered unique metrics to measure belonging, launched impactful community programs, and secured significant public-private partnerships aimed at advancing racial equity. Under Kara’s leadership, the San Antonio Spurs were also recognized for an ESPY Award as Humanitarian Team of the Year.
Prior to her role with the Spurs, Dr. Allen was the CEO of UMOJA, where she drove the organization towards a robust commitment to racial equity and social justice. She successfully scaled the organization’s impact, leading strategic transformations that resulted in significant new partnerships and funding. Her career also includes notable roles such as President & CEO of United Friends of the Children, where she enhanced systems and tools for trauma-informed care and led major fundraising efforts, and Executive Director of CoachArt, where she initiated the organization's first Diversity & Inclusion statement and expanded their services to scale.
Dr. Allen’s academic credentials include a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice from Loyola Marymount University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Her commitment to education is reflected in her tenure as an adjunct faculty member at Pacific Oaks College, where she developed and taught graduate-level courses. Dr. Allen's contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including leadership awards and fellowships with the Aspen Institute and Education Pioneers. She is very grateful to moderate fellowship experiences with Pahara Institute and serves one of eight curriculum designers and facilitators for Race, Reflection and Practice toward Action. Her speaking engagements span various platforms from Gatorade to SXSW to CASE where she advocates for compassionate leadership and systemic change, further solidifying her reputation as a thought leader in multi-disciplinary fields.
Kara is motivated by managing change with empathy and urgency, solving complex problems, navigating seemingly intractable inequity, partnering with motivated co-conspirators and breaking bread together. She also loves tea, donuts and early mornings.
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