Kara grew up traveling, living and working around the tropical Pacific Islands region. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marine Biology from University of San Diego and a Masters of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, with Certificates in Pacific Island Studies and Ocean Policy from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. She worked for the Federal Government for 10 years, first with NOAA Fisheries Service in international fisheries management and policy, marine education and training, and program and grant management. Then she moved on to the Department of Interior, Office of Insular Affairs and had the opportunity to refine her project and grant management skills while working on large education grant programs funded through the Compact of Free Association (COFA) in Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. After leaving the Federal Government, Kara started her own consulting agency and led marine science camps in Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll, instructed marine science courses for the University of Hawai'i in Majuro, Marshall Islands, and led wellness and empowerment programs in Kosrae, Micronesia. She also served as the first ever Executive Director of a social justice nonprofit advocating for Micronesians, Marshallese and Palauans living in the United States before joining Conservation International in her current position. Throughout the last 15 years, Yoga became a parallel career of sorts for Kara. Actively teaching since 2009, Kara is a 500 hour certified Yoga Instructor and has taught Yoga throughout Hawai'i and internationally, including Indonesia, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. She started a Yoga in the workplace program at the NOAA Fisheries office in Honolulu that is still running today. She also offers private classes, workshops, and retreats in Hawaii and Kosrae. Kara has also been scuba diving all over the planet since the age of 12 and is a PADI certified Dive Master and Naturalist diver with over 3000 logged dives.