Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility 2023 Speakers | University of West Florida
Skip to main content
Logo of University of West Florida

Kara Cardona

  • Executive Vice President of Greater Pensacola and Contact Center Operations, Navy Federal Credit Union

Biography

In her roles at Navy Federal Credit Union, Kara Cardona leads the Pensacola Campus with over 9,100 team members and more than 5,700 Contact Center team  

members enterprise-wide. The Contact Center team supports member calls, emessages and chat 24/7, 365 days a year. In addition to these duties, she provides leadership for the Winchester (VA) and West Coast Hub (CA) campuses.  

Previously, Kara served as Senior Vice President over Greater Pensacola Operations and was responsible for coordinating day-to-day operations on campus. Prior to that she supported Branch Operations as Vice President and led more than 1,800 team members in 150 worldwide branches.  

Kara also served in a variety of other leadership roles during her 21-year career with  Navy Federal. Prior to relocating to Pensacola, she served as AVP, Projects and Analysis. Kara also held the title of Regional Manager, Branch Operations, for the  Atlanta, Miami and Europe region based out of Alpharetta, GA. In this role, she negotiated, planned and executed the launch of the first branch at Camp Lemonnier,  Djibouti, Africa. 

Kara serves as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for Baptist Health Care, Inc. and is an active member of the Achieve Escambia Leadership Council. She is also a Big Sister  with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northwest Florida and a member of IMPACT 100  Pensacola.  

Kara earned her bachelor's degree from Columbia College and is an alumna of the  University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, having successfully completed the  Navy Federal Executive Education Program. She enjoys traveling, caring for her dogs and spending time with friends and family.