Founder, Principal Consultant
Kara Penn, MBA, MPP
As the Founder and Principal Consultant of Mission Spark, Kara strives to take the best and most practical ideas, lessons and tools from policy, management, community development, social movements, and systems thinking to help strengthen and innovate the social sector.
Kara has 20 years of experience as a leader, manager, facilitator, consultant and coach in Colorado and throughout the United States.
More About KaraMission Spark Team Members
Joanna Marks, Consultant
Joanna specializes in research, analysis, planning, and writing. She blends data and narratives to improve outcomes for children and families. Her previous work has covered early childhood education, youth development, health and wellness, child welfare, and arts education.
Alison Gold, Consultant
Alison excels at strategic planning, business development, budgeting, grant management, and staff leadership. As Executive Director of a nonprofit, she led over 20 staff and 200 contractors and managed a $4 million budget. She has volunteered with the Peace Corps in Central America, studied in China and Spain, and holds a master’s degree in international economics from University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies.
Jessica Lindsley, Consultant
Jessica has been a nonprofit management professional for more than 15 years. She focuses on marketing and managing nonprofits through mission-driven programming, fundraising event development and management, networking, grant writing and building collaborative partnerships. She also has capital campaign experience.
Mission Spark Fellows
Fellows Program Details
Maddi Schink 2022 Fellow
Maddi is a rising senior at Colorado College studying Environmental Studies and Education. Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Maddi is passionate about climate justice, environmental education, gun violence prevention, and mental health. Since high school, Maddi has worked with various nonprofits and is excited to be joining the Mission Spark team once again to make a meaningful impact and build skills needed for a career in public service. Maddi has been involved with student service organizations, voter registrations, political campaigns, and the Colorado Springs K-12 education system. Maddi is a Boettcher Scholar and was recently selected.
Alexis Harris 2022 Fellow
Alexis Harris is completing her Master’s in Instruction and Curriculum at University of Colorado, Boulder, after majoring in English with a teaching licensure in secondary education and a minor in Technology, Arts, and Media in her undergraduate. She has worked on numerous design projects, including web design and graphic design, for the university and faculty members as an intern and privately contracted employee. Previously, Alexis has worked with Mission Spark as a consultant and Design Specialist. Alexis is interested in finding ways that all parts of her degree can be used to create a positive social impact, especially in the educational sector.