Kara Cook moved from Denver to Houston and served as campaign communications and fundraising strategist for Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Texas Rep Jon Rosenthal, and other local progressive politicians. She currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Harris County (Houston). Before that, she was Recruitment Director for The Public Interest Network. She was also the National Campaign Director for the Toxics Program at U.S. PIRG. A graduate of Berkeley Law at the University of California, Kara is a 2007 Mitchell Scholar.

While studying for a Master's degree in Anglo-Irish Literature at University College Dublin she explored the work of some of the most celebrated writers in Ireland and England while also developing the research and writing skills crucial to her environmental career.

In Ireland, Kara worked as a volunteer on a number of educational outreach programs teaching students about environmental issues and community projects they could participate in. Inspired by her experience in Ireland, she also spent a year working with the World Wildlife Federation in China.

Kara obtained her undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University.