Meet Karen Alonso: A Seasoned Communicator Focused on Growth, Connection and Impact
Posted by admincarolyn on Mar. 20, 2026 / Blog / Subscribe 0
We’re proud to spotlight Karen Alonso, one of PRSA Las Vegas Valley Chapter’s newest members.
Karen is Chief Advancement & Communications Officer with United Way of Southern Nevada, where her strategic vision and leadership enables her to effectively communicate the organization’s mission, engage stakeholders, and inspire action. By integrating marketing and fundraising efforts, she ensures a cohesive approach to advancing UWSN’s objectives.
Prior to joining the team at UWSN, Karen had a successful, 14-year tenure at national fundraising consulting firm, Catapult Fundraising. During that time, she spearheaded direct to donor, multi-channel marketing campaigns, which resulted in millions of dollars raised for prestigious non-profit organizations including International Rescue Committee, United States Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation, Special Olympics International, West Point Association of Graduates, Nevada SPCA, Atomic Museum, UC Davis Health, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute to name a few.
Karen is currently serving as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Las Vegas Chapter as well as Immediate Past President of the American Marketing Association (AMA), Las Vegas Chapter. Karen also serves on the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance Branding Council and the UNLV Marketing & International Business Community Advisory Board.
Karen, a longtime member of AMA who served on the AMA board for five years in a variety of roles, sees value in being a part of both AMA and PRSA. “AMA has helped me sharpen my marketing skills, and PRSA will keep me sharp on the messaging, reputation, and relationship side of the house,” she said. “Being involved in both associations keeps me well-rounded and helps me see the full picture instead of just one piece of the puzzle.”
Without a doubt, Karen is a seasoned PR pro. We asked her what now brings her to PRSA.
“I believe if you’re serious about your craft, you stay close to people who care about it just as much as you do. With that thought in mind, PRSA felt like a natural next step,” she said. “My role at United Way of Southern Nevada combines marketing, communications, fundraising, and community engagement. Through PRSA, I hope to build a network and learn from other seasoned storytellers.”
And since joining just a few months ago, what are her expectations for membership?
“There’s always something to learn in our field, regardless of how long you’ve been in it,” she said. “The landscape shifts constantly, so I joined PRSA to stay sharp, expand my network, and have access to thought leadership that pushes me beyond what I already know.”
“I’m also looking for real conversations. The kind where we talk about what’s actually working, what’s not, and how we navigate the gray areas.”
We look forward to your contributions to our conversations, Karen. Welcome to PRSA and the Las Vegas Valley Chapter!
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