Kara Nacarato
Senior Director, Operations
Location: Livonia, MI (Eastern Time Zone)
Credentials:
Kara Nacarato is a seasoned association and nonprofit professional with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning event management, operations, sales, marketing, and business development. She has built a reputation for delivering strategic, high-impact events while helping organizations strengthen relationships, engage stakeholders, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Kara’s event management expertise spans the full event lifecycle, from strategy and budgeting to logistics, vendor management, sponsorship execution, attendee engagement, and post-event analysis. She has successfully led a wide range of events, including large-scale conferences and annual meetings, educational programs, board retreats, and donor experiences, always with a focus on creating seamless, thoughtful, and impactful experiences that align with client goals.
Her background in sponsorship development, corporate partnerships, sales, and fund development gives her a unique perspective in helping clients maximize revenue opportunities and deepen audience engagement. Combined with her consultative approach and ability to build strong relationships, Kara brings both strategic insight and operational excellence to every project.
As Senior Director of Operations at Event Garde, Kara also leads the company’s internal operations, overseeing financial management, contractor engagement, human resources, and day-to-day business operations. Her ability to balance client service with organizational leadership helps ensure both successful events and sustainable business growth.
Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Detroit Mercy, with a focus on Public Relations, Marketing, and Organizational Development. She has also completed specialized training in sponsorship development and management through IEG, a leader in partnership strategy, development, and fulfillment.
Outside of work, Kara and her husband, Steve, stay busy with their three daughters, Emily, Jenna, and Avery. When they are not juggling carpools and sports schedules, they enjoy spending time at the pool or up north at the lake with friends and family, making the most of Michigan’s warm-weather months.
