Kara is a dynamic and results-oriented executive with 25 years of experience in cybersecurity, technology solutions, human resources and change management. In Kara’s current role as the Identity and Access Management (IAM) Risk Executive, her team is responsible for overseeing 2nd Line of Defense for IAM across the enterprise at Bank of America. She is accountable for driving risk reduction & remediation related to Access Management by partnering with Global Information Security and each front-line unit to ensure strong IAM procedures and controls are in place. Kara began her career as a management consultant with a Big 5 consulting firm, then moved onto team leadership and senior management positions for two different technology companies, including an IAM consulting firm. She joined Global Human Resources at Bank of America in 2007. Since that time, she has exhibited her adept leadership skills delivering enterprise HR change initiatives on time and under budget while continually expanding the scope of her accountabilities. In 2014, Kara became the Global Program Manager for Integrated Portal Strategy, a program designed to improve and advance the Bank's online employee experience by simplifying and streamlining access to HR tools and information. HR Connect was launched in 2016 and has won multiple industry awards, including 2016 HRO Today’s Innovation in Technology and NNg’s 2017 Top 10 Intranets. Kara parlayed her success in building that program into her leadership role building-out the Identity & Access Management (IAM) Enterprise Process Oversight (EPO) function within Global Technology and Operations at Bank of America. Originally the IAM EPO sat within the 1st Line of Defense. However, the team garnered great success in risk reduction and was asked to join the 2nd Line of Defense Cyber Compliance & Operational Risk (COR) team. The evolution of her team’s scope is a testament to Kara’s laser focus on delivering results and strategic solutions that positively impact the enterprise. Kara is a proficient leader with a desire to push her team outside their comfort zones to reach optimal growth and potential. She is an advocate for diversity & inclusion. She is passionate about mentorship and sponsorship with a focus on training new managers how to lead effective teams by capitalizing on the strengths of each individual. It has been said that “Kara is the kind of leader who can lead anything regardless of the domain because she focuses on the greatest asset of the team, the people.” Kara is a NC native, happily married to her husband, Derek, with two fur babies. She is a graduate of NC State University … Go Pack! As the daughter of a retired Army general, Kara is a fervent supporter of military and veterans’ affairs. Kara is an avid volunteer with a diverse array of interests ranging from working with orphans in Ghana, Africa to her 6-year tenure on the planning committee for Dress for Success Charlotte’s Ultimate Power Lunch. In her spare time, Kara enjoys quality time with her family & friends, cooking and trying new recipes, traveling, working out and performing in local community theater. As a leader and through all aspects of her life, Kara hopes to inspire others to seek out new experiences, treat others with unexpected kindness, pursue continual growth, and embrace a zest for life.