Karla Thomas

National Senior Director, Media Relations

Karla Thomas has two decades of experience as a senior level marketing, communications and media relations expert providing leadership, motivation, and strategic oversight on key marketing/PR initiatives. She has a proven track record in securing extensive media coverage with top-tier media outlets on pressing healthcare and educational concerns throughout her career. She joined ALF after serving four years as the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) Director of Media Relations where she was the liaison between the national headquarters and 27 NKF field offices. 

As a marketing communications/PR expert, Karla continues to leverage current news trends to build positive exposure and sustain awareness of important healthcare and educational issues. From coordinating crisis communications plans to preparing talking points, company statements, press releases,and quarterly media reports, Karla has utilized traditional media and digital/emerging technologies to influence outreach to targeted audiences. She has worked extensively in collaboration with numerous senior leadership teams on innovative media strategies that maximize positive press exposure and provide the best reputational management in support of a non-profit organization’s mission and vision.