Prior to this role, Cara led aquatic education and engagement initiatives with the Missouri Department of Conservation through its affiliate volunteer programs. There she mobilized volunteer involvement, oversaw communications, and developed partnerships all while pioneering standardized guidelines for media and educational onboarding materials, resulting in engagement strategies that increased the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of program participants.

In addition to her professional work, Cara serves as the Chair of the Rivers and Streams Committee for the Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. She is currently pursuing a MEd in Environmental Education and is passionate about building mentorship and connection for students and young professionals entering the conservation field. In her free time Cara enjoys spending time outdoors microfishing, snorkeling, and hiking with her husband Ryan and their seven-year-old golden retriever, Fjord.