With more than two decades dedicated to creating change via public service, and most recently, three years as President and CEO of Senior Resource Alliance (SRA), Karla Radka recently announced that she will step down from her role with Central Florida’s Area Agency on Aging. As a result, the nonprofit has started its search for its next leader this month.
Throughout her career, Radka has advocated for greater access to resources and life-changing services for some of the community’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. Prior to her role at SRA, Radka was the COO at Goodwill Industries of Central Florida and VP of Community Impact and Leadership Development at Embrace Families (formerly Community Based Care). She is also the founding director of a national award-winning program, Public Allies of Central Florida, and co-founder of Hope Now International.
Under Radka’s leadership, SRA and its partner agencies reached the following key milestones, among others:
- Delivered more than 1 million meals to seniors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Received a grant to purchase a bloodhound for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to help locate missing seniors in SRA’s four-county service area.
- Distributed more than $870,000 of federal funds through the Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program to help seniors experiencing an energy crisis.
- Transitioned to an entirely digital paperwork system for clients, allowing for greater efficiency in supporting Central Florida seniors.
SRA’s Board of Directors is working with a national search firm to identify candidates to replace Radka. Interested candidates should visit the Careers section for more information.
“We are grateful for Karla’s leadership and passion over the past three years, and know she will continue to inspire and serve in her upcoming role,” said Robert Matschner, Senior Resource Alliance Board Chair. “She has encouraged and developed a strong team at the SRA, and we are proud of the accomplishments that have been made and the impact that the SRA with its partner agencies will continue to make in the lives of our seniors.”
Radka will continue her life’s work helping those most in need through her upcoming role with a national nonprofit.
“Without the support of community partners and our partner agencies during my time at Senior Resource Alliance, much of our work wouldn’t have been possible,” said Radka. “I am eternally grateful for what we were able to accomplish together, and I look forward to bringing that spirit of collaboration into the next phase of my career as I continue to pursue my passion of helping those in need.”
SRA is the Area Agency on Aging of Central Florida, which covers Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. SRA works in partnership with nine partner agencies, including the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center, Aging Matters in Brevard, Brevard Alzheimer’s Association, Informed Families, Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, Inc., Meals on Wheels, Etc., Seniors First, Share the Care and Osceola Council on Aging.
