Kara Gerhardt Ross
SVP and Chief Communications Officer - SAIC
Kara Ross joined SAIC in 2023 as its SVP and chief communications officer. Kara is responsible for SAIC's Global Corporate Communications, leading the development and execution of all internal and external communications, digital, content, corporate reputation and brand and advancing communications strategy in support of the company's business objectives. SAIC is a premier Fortune 500® mission integrator driving our nation's digital transformation across the defense, space, civilian and intelligence markets.
Kara has more than 25 years of broad and extensive experience as a senior corporate affairs and communications leader, serving in both the public and private sectors. While in the private sector, Kara led the UPS Global Communication teams for international communications, enterprise social media, public policy communications and executive media affairs. She also managed clients in technology, aerospace and transportation at boutique PR firms and oversaw marketing and communications at Fortune 500 companies.
In the Federal government she held press secretary positions at The White House as a spokesperson for the President of the United States, at the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Secretary, and at the U.S. General Services Administration, where she also handled media relations and crisis communication in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing.
Kara serves on the Advisory Board for Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism’s DC Executive Committee. She is an active member of Chief, and the Arthur Page Society and she received the Page Society Innovation Award in 2021. She volunteers regularly for local charities, including Compass Pro Bono and the Arlington Food Assistance Center and founded a chapter of Food Bus, at her children’s school.
Kara earned her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism from Ohio University. She also holds certificates in Strategic Communications, Leadership Principles and Executive Perspectives from Columbia, Yale and Emory Universities.
Kara and her husband Jim have two children and live in Arlington, Virginia.
