WICHITA FALLAS, TEXAS, July 27, 2023 – Kara Nickens has joined the American Red Cross North Texas Region as the executive director for the Texas Big Country Chapter which includes 38 counties with more than 770,000 residents. Nickens is based in Wichita Falls, where she will engage community stakeholders and oversee Red Cross programs and services from Wichita Falls to Abilene, San Angelo, Brownwood and everything in between.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Kara’s caliber joining the Red Cross,” said Linda Braddy, CEO of the Red Cross North Texas Region. “Kara’s years of humanitarian service in Wichita Falls and Abilene makes her the perfect ambassador to further the Red Cross mission, steward vital relationships, expand community partnerships and strengthen community engagement across the Texas Big Country chapter.”  

Before joining the Red Cross, Kara served as the chief executive officer for the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank. During her tenure at the food bank, they implemented several new programs including a mobile pantry program that delivered food to people in food deserts who might not otherwise have access to nutritious food. Under her leadership, the food bank doubled the amount of food distributed.

Kara received a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and spent the first 20-plus years of her career serving as the executive director for private living and day habilitation programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I’m very excited to join an organization that is world-renowned for its humanitarianism and is dedicated to building resiliency here in West Texas,” said Nickens. “I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and community partners to help train, provide service and help make our communities stronger with our home-grown talent.”

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCross.