Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Radka.
Hi Karla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is rooted in faith, resilience, hard work and a deep belief that leadership is service. At 19, I made the life-changing decision to come to the United States to pursue opportunity and build a future defined by purpose, contribution and service.
I began with very little materially, but with tremendous determination, courage and gratitude for the chance to grow. Those early years shaped the leader I am today: entrepreneurial, disciplined, mission-driven and deeply committed to empowering others along the way. That foundation has guided more than 30 years of work in the nonprofit sector, where I have built teams, strengthened organizations, developed partnerships and helped turn vision into measurable community impact.
My passion for service and innovation has taken many forms. I co-founded Hope Now International to support humanitarian projects, served in national service and leadership development through Public Allies, and held executive and senior leadership roles at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, Florida Family Care, and Community Based Care of Central Florida. In each role, I have focused on building strong systems, empowering people and creating solutions that endure beyond any one leader.
Today, I serve as President & CEO of Senior Resource Alliance, where I work alongside an extraordinary team and a broad network of partners to address the complex challenges facing Central Florida’s aging population. In this role, I see myself not only as an executive leader, but also as a social entrepreneur—building sustainable partnerships, systems and solutions that can continue creating impact long into the future. This work is urgent and deeply personal. Floridians age 65 and older make up nearly 23% of the state’s population, and that number continues to rise. As a CEO, I see both the challenge and the opportunity: to lead with compassion, operate with integrity and build practical solutions that help older adults live with dignity, independence and hope.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Comfort and growth rarely exist in the same place.
I have learned that meaningful growth often requires courage: the courage to leave what is familiar, to start again, to ask difficult questions and to bet on a vision before others can see it. My journey has not always been easy, but each challenge strengthened my resolve and taught me to lead with both heart and strategy.
As a woman leader and entrepreneur, I have had to be clear about my values, confident in my voice and willing to take risks in service of something larger than myself. I believe strong leadership is not about title or position; it is about vision, accountability, courage and the ability to bring people together around a mission that matters.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Senior Resource Alliance is a solution-based organization that connects older adults, caregivers and adults with disabilities to the services, resources and support they need to continue living safely and independently in their homes and communities. Our compassionate team helps individuals and families navigate complex needs by identifying practical solutions, trusted community resources and personalized pathways to care. At its heart, our work is about meeting people where they are, removing barriers and helping seniors maintain dignity, independence and quality of life.
What sets Senior Resource Alliance apart is the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to innovation. We serve Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties through a broad provider network that helps connect seniors to programs such as meal support, Medicare counseling, caregiver resources, hospital readmission prevention programs, fall prevention classes and other services that promote independence and quality of life. I am especially proud that our organization brings public, private, nonprofit and community partners together to solve problems in a practical, human-centered way.
Earlier this year, I had the honor of speaking before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging to advocate for caregivers and families who are carrying the weight of caring for both an older loved one and a child. That experience reinforced what I know to be true: when we listen to real stories, build strong coalitions and lead with purpose, we can create meaningful change for the people and communities we serve.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that leaders must honor the present while building for the future.
In nonprofit leadership, the needs we see today are often the early signs of what our communities will face tomorrow. Strong leaders cannot simply react; they must anticipate, adapt and create systems that are ready for what comes next. That requires vision, discipline and the ability to translate big ideas into sustainable action.
That kind of foresight does not happen in isolation. It comes from listening closely to the people we serve, our provider network, our community partners and the team members doing the work every day. The best ideas often emerge where compassion meets data, and where lived experience informs strategy. For me, leadership means staying close to the mission while never losing sight of the future we have a responsibility to build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.seniorresourcealliance.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sra_florida/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sraflorida/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/area-agency-on-aging-dba-senior-resource-alliance-orlando-florida
- Twitter: https://x.com/SRA_Florida
