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 15+ years of experience as a leader, manager, facilitator, consultant and coach in Colorado and throughout the United States.
More About KaraMission Spark Team Members
Alison Gold
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
Jessica 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.
Joanna Marks
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.