Karla Salazar, Cohort 4
Bio: Karla Salazar is a political and labor consultant. For the past 15 years, Karla has assisted labor unions, political candidates, and nonprofits with strategy, community outreach, lobbying, coaching, and leadership development. Karla has worked for organizations like Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE), People Organized for Westside Renewal (POWER), AFSCME International, the California Democratic Party (CDP), and L.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL CIO. She launched her political consulting firm in 2018, Pink Wave Campaigns, specializing in campaign management, social media marketing, public affairs, and grassroots organizing for highly targeted and individualized field programs for women candidates and allies, she also works with small businesses in the Los Angeles area. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.S. in Social Entrepreneurship from USC Marshall School of Business.
Current city: Los Angeles, CA
I am passionate about...
...politics and women rights.
What led you to USC and specifically the MSSE program?
...creating or being part of having a business for social good.
What personal or professional experiences do you believe helped shape your values and worldview?
I was a community organizer in South Los Angeles in my early 20s and that really opened my eyes to the have and have-nots in our communities. We deserve better. Continue to Organize, Organize, Organize!
What lessons and experiences at USC and the MSSE program helped build the foundation for your career today?
...thinking of a business that can possibly impact the world for good while making a little bit of a profit. I loved the idea and see the social impact space as a way to help make the world a better place -- these are not just words -- this program taught us to take action!
What advice do you have for current students?
...expand your horizons, get involved in school as much as possible - two years go by fast. (i.e. clubs, internships, attend social impact conferences, competitions, travel with like-minded folks, etc)
