Karen Alonso is driven by a simple belief: if you have the ability, you have the responsibility. That sense of duty has guided her work helping nonprofits raise money, build partnerships and expand their reach.
Alonso began her career in marketing and spent 14 years at Catapult Fundraising, developing campaigns for organizations such as the U.S. Naval Academy. In 2023, she joined United Way of Southern Nevada as vice president of marketing. Under her leadership, the organization boasted more than $500,000 in new philanthropic support, a 12% increase in Tocqueville Society membership and digital growth that drove a 102% jump in email subscribers and a 121% rise in web traffic. Now chief advancement and communications officer, Alonso oversees fundraising, marketing and volunteer engagement.
Alonso also previously served as president of the Las Vegas chapters of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the American Marketing Association.