Kara Morgan was appointed CEO of Venice MainStreet in the summer of 2019. She uses dynamic community connections and high-level strategic oversight, plus over 15 years of experience in nonprofit management and development to tackle large projects, such as capital growth campaigns and federal grants to navigating everyday challenges, like building awareness and visitor engagement.

Kara is originally from Wisconsin, became a Venice resident in 2015, and has lived in Sarasota County since 2007. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Education and Youth Studies, and Art History, from Beloit College and a Master of Arts degree from John Hopkins University. Locally, she most recently served as Director of Development of Art Center Sarasota and previously Deputy Director of Historic Spanish Point for seven years.

Morgan finds, “MainStreet is an asset to residents and visitors of historic downtown Venice. It offers collaborations and connections for business, cultural organizations, local government, and individuals. Organizations like MainStreet make a critical impact championing the community, fostering dialogue and creating platforms for partnerships that leverage the unique assets of all participants for the benefit of the collective.”