About Karla
Experienced leader for a thriving community in Montgomery County
Karla, an immigrant from Guatemala, has devoted her service and career to helping people get ahead by advancing their education and connecting them to jobs and other opportunities so they can take care of themselves and their families. She moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, nearly twenty years ago for the jobs, schools, and public amenities that have enabled her family to thrive.
She was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Education in 2018 and served as president for two consecutive years, providing bold leadership and direction to drive significant improvements. She currently chairs the Fiscal Management Committee, where she leads the work to monitor the system’s $3.6 billion budget. She has focused on improving student achievement following the pandemic, return on investment in education, recruiting talented educators, and ensuring students are ready for college or the workplace upon graduation.
Karla has 25 years of experience in education, community engagement, and workforce development. She works at Montgomery College as the director of Community Engagement, where she helps county residents connect with educational and workforce opportunities. Previously, she worked for Montgomery County government as a community liaison in the Office of Community Partnerships, helping residents engage with county government and county government to respond more effectively to its residents.
Karla has two daughters who are graduates of Montgomery County Public Schools and lives with her family in Silver Spring.
