Karla James

Karla James (they or she pronouns) serves as the Deputy Director of Operations at the National Center for Youth Law. Karla leads the Operations team, which is responsible for human resources, finance, technology, facilities, and legal compliance.

Prior to joining the National Center for Youth Law in 2016, Karla was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, a nonprofit that supports organization working for public health, consumer and environmental protection. Before coming to California, they founded and ran a whitewater rafting company in Montana, and taught two years of high school in Ohio.

Karla has an extensive volunteer background with grassroots social and environmental nonprofits, including Copwatch, a police accountability organization in Berkeley, California. They enjoy sea kayaking, rafting and hiking with their two dogs.