Kara Alice Pitek
Built on Principle.
Driven by Impact.
Phone:
347.224.4485
Email:
Location:
Alexandria, VA
Hello! I’m Kara
I am a strategic and systems thinker who leads with integrity, clarity, and purpose. For nearly two decades, I have worked across federal agencies, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations to build structures that function better for the people who operate them and the communities they serve. I bring a deep command of process, policy, and public accountability, matched with an unshakable belief that bureaucracy doesn’t have to be a barrier to justice, it can be a tool for it.
My work is grounded in the conviction that doing things the right way doesn’t mean slowing things down. It means designing processes that reflect our values, deliver real outcomes, and respect the dignity of every stakeholder. Whether I’m building procurement frameworks, mentoring teams, or supporting equity-focused policy reform, I move with a clear goal: to make systems more human, and to make mission more actionable.
At my core, I am here to serve; with discipline, creativity, and a relentless drive to make things work better than we found them.
EXPERIENCE
November 2025-present
Buyer
May 2023-present
Consultant
September 2022-October 2024
Program Manager
August 2019-May 2023
Task Order Manager
December 2016-August 2019
Team Lead
September 2014-December 2016
Procurement Analyst
VIRGINIA PASSENGER RAIL AUTHORITY
Lead procurement activities supporting capital construction and rail infrastructure programs.
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Introduced structured procurement reporting tools, including a Cost Savings Tracker and revised guidance materials, improving visibility into contract performance and financial impact.
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Direct full lifecycle acquisition activity for construction and A/E contracts ensuring disciplined documentation and funding alignment.
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Advise project leadership on procurement planning, compliance interpretation, and vendor strategy within a capital program environment.
SELF-EMPLOYED
Guided federal clients through acquisition operations, compliance posture, and internal control maturity.
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Conducted targeted reviews of procurement systems and oversight frameworks, strengthening audit readiness and documentation integrity.
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Delivered candid, actionable guidance to senior leaders on aligning procurement strategy with funding constraints and regulatory requirements.
GOLDBELT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Directed a 14-member acquisition team managing 250+ annual actions totaling >$50M.
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Served as principal advisor to leadership on contract strategy, regulatory interpretation, and risk exposure.
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Implemented standardized operating procedures and a policy dashboard that reduced resubmissions by 40% and improved workflow discipline.
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Strengthened lifecycle review checkpoints and documentation standards, reinforcing internal controls across the portfolio.
GARUD TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Led acquisition teams supporting enterprise BPA TOs including a high-visibility $2B program.
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Modernized contractor performance tracking to improve oversight and inform follow-on award decisions.
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Conducted workforce capability assessments and implemented structured training and knowledge-sharing platforms.
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Designed and launched FEMA’s first Acquisition Help Desk, reducing rework and improving coordination between program and contracting offices.
ASI GOVERNMENT
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Directed comprehensive contract audits and revised procurement policies to strengthen clarity and enforceability.
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Designed and delivered a three-day acquisition training for 120+ contracting professionals to address audit findings and strengthen policy application.
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Led a seven-member team supporting GSA’s multi-billion-dollar telecommunications transition initiative.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
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Authored procurement policies aligning FAR, DOI requirements, and Executive Orders, improving consistency and reducing audit findings across NPS contracting offices.
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Managed the nationwide DLA interagency agreement for fuel purchases, training staff on Wide Area Workflow to ensure timely, accurate transactions.
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Conducted contract audits for NPS and DOI agencies, identifying trends and implementing corrective policy changes that improved compliance and operational efficiency.
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration
Major in Inspector General Studies:
Political and Regulatory Oversight
Bachelor of Arts
Major in Political Science
High School Diploma
Major in Vocal Music
JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Master of Public Administration Inspector General (MPA IG) program is a track of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice MPA degree program and is unique among MPA and public policy programs nationally because of its concentration on the assessment and oversight of performance and integrity in public and independent agencies.
BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
Binghamton University’s Political Science program focuses on American politics, political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. The core courses address various topics in American or comparative political systems and institutions, international conflict and civil war, repression, and foreign policy.
LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC & ART AND PERFORMING ARTS
The mission of this extraordinary specialized high school is to provide all students with conservatory-level arts training coupled with rigorous academics
EMPLOYERS & CLIENTS
SKILLS
Strategic Program Leadership
Operational Process Improvement
Stakeholder Collaboration
Policies and Procedures
Risk Management & Mitigation
Data-Driven Decision Making
EXPERTISE
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
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Financial & performance federal contract audit
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Federal & corporate policies & procedures
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Recommendations & roadmaps for procedural guidance, corrective action, workforce development
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
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Workforce assessment & analysis scoping & execution; feeds into strategic portfolio planning
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Acquisition Workforce training programs, Communities of Practice, & oversight/accountability tools
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Live agency policy tracking
COMMUNICATION
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Facilitate mission success by bridging cognizance gaps between stakeholders with varied interests
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Develop common definitions to ensure universal understanding of teammate roles and responsibilities through collaboration
SERVICE
Eliminated over $900,000 in actual medical liabilities for families across Virginia since 2023.