Pomona College, Senior Director of Audience Strategy

Pomona College (Pomona) announced the appointment of Karla S. Reid as the inaugural senior director of audience strategy. In this newly conceptualized position reporting to the assistant vice president for advancement communications and events, Reid will play an essential role in Pomona’s advancement division by developing and implementing compelling, strategic, and metrics-based communications strategies that successfully engage diverse audiences and garner sustained support for Pomona’s mission. 

A seasoned advancement communications professional, Reid joins Pomona from the University of Southern California (USC) where she most recently served as special project manager for university advancement communications since 2015. In this role, Reid crafted a wide range of deliverables including proposals; case statements; remarks and speeches for senior leaders, including the senior vice president for university advancement; donor profiles; presentations; and advertising copy. Reid also managed university advancement’s community outreach efforts to support local families, foster teens, and seniors. Beginning in 2019, Reid’s specific focus evolved into managing and conceptualizing a high volume of communications for the USC Alumni Association. 

Reid began her career as a reporter for various newspapers including The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Tallahassee Democrat. While her journalistic experience was extensive, Reid’s primary focus ultimately became education, leading to a role as a staff writer for Education Week as the publication expanded its online presence. Prior to joining USC, Reid served as a communications specialist for the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. 

Reid earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University. 

Rachel Ellenport led this search with Nicole Poe, Christina Garrison, and Megan Gorman.