Kara Allen

Kara trusts that communities have the answers and is an unapologetic believer in young people and the adults that uplift them.

Kara joined Spurs Sports & Entertainment as its first Chief Impact Officer in October 2021. In this role, Kara leads all aspects of community and societal impact, including SS&E’s philanthropic arm (Spurs Give), and provides oversight for all philanthropic engagements, community investments, and nonprofit partnerships alongside all internal and external initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, social justice and sustainability for SS&E. Kara also leads all crisis management and crisis response initiatives for SS&E.

Prior to joining SS&E, Kara served as Chief Executive Officer and led the national expansion of NewRoot Learning Institute. She previously served as the President & CEO of a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides housing and wrap-around thriving support for young people impacted by the foster care system and housing insecurity. In addition, Kara moderates racial affinity leadership experiences through Pahara Institute, teaches graduate courses, and serves on the Board of Directors of CoachArt and The Wayfarer Foundation.

After starting her professional career as a teacher in Oakland Unified School District, Kara earned a Master’s degree in Social Work at the University of Southern California and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership for Social Justice at Loyola Marymount University. Kara is lucky to be called “mom” by some beautiful humans; her oldest is at UC Davis Medical School and her youngest is loving elementary school.