Kara Rogers is a licensed CPA and obtained a master’s degree in accounting from the University of Utah. She began her career in public accounting at Grant Thornton’s audit practice after college and, after five years, made the jump to industry. She landed a position as a financial reporting manager at Instructure, where she has now worked for 10 years. In November 2015, Kara ran the financial sections of the S-1 for Instructure’s first IPO. She solely ran SEC reporting for about three years and was promoted to assistant controller; then VP, corporate controller; and now chief accounting officer. Kara has been through nine M&A transactions during her time at Instructure and has been in charge of integrating six of those transactions into the company’s financial processes. She has seen Instructure grow from a $100M company to over a $500M company and leads a team of over 30 employees, 2/3 of which are women.
What is an accomplishment you’re very proud of?
The accomplishment I am most proud of is being placed as the new leader of a department while simultaneously facing some of the most technically challenging transactions (from an accounting perspective), emotionally challenging times due to COVID, and significant changes that come with being purchased by a private equity group. I had no other choice but to rise to the occasion and lead the team by example. I have never worked harder in my life. To come out the other side of it with another IPO under my belt and an even stronger team was so rewarding. I blossomed in my career and in my position during the COVID years, and I am so proud of that growth.
What community projects or charity work are you involved in, and why are they important to you?
I sit on the board of trustees for the The Children’s Center Utah. I have been on the board for nearly a decade and chair the finance and admin committee. The work of The Children’s Center Utah is so important — they serve children ages 0-6 and their families with evidenced-based trauma treatment and mental health services. I am humbled by the work they do, and I am proud to be affiliated with such an amazing organization. To Main Page