For the past five years, Karla King has been a powerful force within the Girls on the Run community—as an athlete, a coach, and a champion for empowering girls through movement raising nearly $45,000 to support program growth across Greater Boston. 2026 will mark her fifth consecutive season, a milestone that reflects not only her commitment to running but her passion for helping girls build confidence, resilience, and joy.

Beyond fundraising and racing, Karla helped bring Girls on the Run to her local Massachusetts community by launching and coaching a new team. Her leadership style centers on positivity, inclusivity, and showing young athletes—her own kids included—that strength comes from effort, courage, and supporting one another.

Professionally, Karla is a senior leader in legal, sustainability, and environmental, health & safety strategy. Her career has been dedicated to integrating purpose-driven leadership into fast-growing organizations, improving culture, driving impact, and building systems that help companies and people thrive. Whether guiding a corporate sustainability program or coaching girls on a 5K course, Karla brings the same values: empowerment, connection, and leading with heart.

Her favorite part of Girls on the Run? “Watching girls surprise themselves—crossing finish lines they never believed were possible and realizing they are capable of so much more than they imagined.” Karla says, “It’s the same lesson I carry into every mile I run and every role I take on.”

Thank you, Karla, for the many miles covered and funds raised in your pursuit to empower more local girls!