Karla Edwards

Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy

As Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy for the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable, Karla plays a central role in shaping programs that support Black women’s economic security, civic engagement, and transformative leadership. Known for her strategic thinking and collaborative leadership, Karla guides her team to deliver impactful, mission-driven work.

In her previous role as Director of Mississippi Programs at Ampact, Karla successfully expanded the national AmeriCorps programs Reading Corps and Math Corps, improving the academic outcomes of students in five school districts in Mississippi, grades K–8. Her work with the Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy further showcased her ability to strengthen nonprofit capacity and boost volunteer engagement, particularly in disaster preparedness and community involvement.

Karla holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and has over a decade of experience in program development, fiscal oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Outside of her professional career, she remains active in her church and community service through Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and other organizations committed to social justice and equity.