With Hedges since 2017
Kara Harrison serves as Director of Capacity Building Services at Hedges, where she partners with nonprofit organizations and funders to strengthen board governance, clarify strategy, and build sustainable organizational systems. Since joining Hedges in 2017, she has led strategic planning efforts, board development initiatives, and funder-supported capacity engagements across Indiana and beyond.
Kara brings experience from multiple vantage points within the sector. She previously served as a Community Investment and Grants Officer at a community foundation and as Executive Director of a mental health-focused nonprofit, in addition to working in direct service. This breadth allows her to navigate the distinct perspectives of nonprofit leaders, boards, and funders with credibility and balance.
A critical thinker and skilled facilitator, Kara is known for seeing connections others may miss like anticipating unintended consequences, identifying opportunities , and guiding teams toward aligned, practical solutions. She is particularly sought after for her expertise in board governance, helping boards and staff clarify roles, strengthen accountability, and operate with greater effectiveness. She creates thoughtful learning environments where leaders feel heard while also being challenged to think more strategically.
In addition to her Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana University, Kara holds a BoardSource Certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting and a Change Management Certificate from Cornell University.
Outside of her consulting work, Kara prioritizes time with her husband and children, introducing them to new experiences, people, and places. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Project Rouj, an organization that hires local workers in Haiti to build homes, simultaneously building homes and creating jobs. That same curiosity and belief in community connection shape the way she approaches her work each day.
CliftonStrengths: Ideation, Woo, Responsibility, Strategic, Individualization