Granby, CO -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/13/2015 -- Project Sanctuary welcomed Kara Pappas to its leadership team this month as the new chief development officer (CDO). The CDO is responsible for forging new partnerships and sponsorships to build the visibility, impact, and financial resources of Project Sanctuary as we work to eliminate our waitlist of 1,800 military families.

Kara's experience includes over nine years of managing nonprofit development initiatives and more than 14 years serving as a military spouse. Before joining Project Sanctuary, Kara was the Director of Development at Longmont Humane Society and managed development programming for Larimer Humane Society. In these roles, she managed fund development, community relations programming and annual giving campaigns—all with a focus on how best to serve her donors and community.

"Kara has the perfect combination of experience, energy and passion that will help Project Sanctuary grow into the future," said Heather Ehle, founder and chief executive officer of Project Sanctuary. "As more military families face reintegration and increased deployments, the need for programs like ours increases—which we've seen firsthand with our constantly growing waitlist. We know Kara is the right person to help us meet these increased needs. She also brings a unique perspective as the military spouse of an active member of the National Guard because she has lived through multiple deployments and understands what the families we serve go through. Her personal and professional experience will be a valuable asset to us."

"As a military spouse, I understand the costs our families pay as a result of prolonged separation. I am grateful to join Project Sanctuary's team and become part of the solution: supporting post-deployment healing by fully embracing every member of the household," said Kara.

Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Technical Communication from Colorado State University and will complete a Master of Nonprofit Management degree through Regis University in October 2015. Learn more at http://projectsanctuary.us/about/leadership-team.

About Project Sanctuary
Founded in 2007, Project Sanctuary takes our military families from battle-ready to family-ready by providing six-day, outdoor, therapeutic retreats in a healing environment and ongoing family support services for two years following each retreat. Sponsors that help make the retreats possible include the USO, First Command Financial Services, Aimco Cares, Healthy Marriage Project and YMCA of the Rockies. More information is available online at www.projectsanctuary.us.