Kara Waddell

Kara Waddell is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Community Advisory Council.

Waddell serves as president and CEO of Child Care Associates, a child development organization. She plays a key role in designing public-private systems of early learning for children ages 0–5, including improving child care; advising state, municipal and school leaders about early education; developing educators and encouraging policies that have a positive impact on children and families.

In 2021, she was awarded the Fort Worth Business Press Nonprofit CEO of the Year. She also served as the founding chair of the Early Learning Alliance.

Waddell holds a BA in developmental psychology from Duke University and a master’s in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.