January Breakfast Meeting with Kara Moran, President of Suffolk Chemical

Kara Moran is the President of Suffolk Chemical Company and Vice-President of Suffolk Sales and Service. Both companies are third-generation, certified small, women-owned businesses specializing in heavy industrial chemicals and located in Suffolk, Virginia.  Kara grew up in Suffolk and graduated with a B.A in International Relations and Political Science from Randolph-Macon College.  

In addition to her professional career, Kara's volunteer work over many years includes Operation Smile medical mission trips, R.E.A.C.H, and PTA. Kara is passionate about animal welfare and was instrumental in passing two state laws and a resolution in the Virginia General Assembly regarding animal cruelty. 

Currently, she serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Council on Women and on the Board of Directors of Virginia’s List. Her past boards include Sister Cities of Virginia Beach and Vanguard Landing. Her shared passion for community service both at home, and internationally, has taken her to places like the Philippines, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, and Italy.

Kara has a passion for civic engagement, empowering women in business, and community service. She is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute CTP class, Emerge Virginia, and the Civic Institute Executive Leadership Program.  Kara loves continuing education and is currently enrolled at Tidewater Community College working on her certificate from the Academy for Nonprofit Excellence as well as classes at Harvard Kennedy School, and recently just finished her Virginia Maritime Association Leadership Certificate.

Kara is a very proud single mother of her college-age daughter Gable, who lives in Oregon, and her rescue dogs Juno, Nelly, and Salvador.