Her Story
About Kara
Kara Bottoms, MBA, is the President and Owner of PPA Agency, a marketing firm based in the Columbus, Ohio area. She began her career with the agency as a graphic designer in 2016 before progressing into account management and agency leadership, ultimately becoming President and Owner in 2021. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University and an MBA from Cedarville University, Kara combines creative expertise with business leadership to guide the agency’s growth and client relationships.
Throughout her career, Kara has focused on creating meaningful marketing experiences through excellence, authenticity, and thoughtful collaboration. Under her leadership, PPA Agency has strengthened its people-first culture, expanded its creative capabilities, and taken on mission-driven projects that support communities in central Ohio and beyond. She also embraces innovative approaches to marketing, including the development of The Catalog Trail, a story-based game designed to turn the challenges of catalog production into an engaging experience for marketing professionals and designers.
Kara’s leadership is grounded in faith, mentorship, kindness, adaptability, and a commitment to empowering others. She mentors young professionals through The Baton Exchange and participates in Convene, where she engages with fellow leaders and an executive coach. Passionate about supporting women in marketing and leadership, Kara encourages young women to find teams where their perspectives and talents are valued. She believes professional success is most meaningful when it positively impacts others and strives to create a workplace where people feel empowered, supported, and inspired to do meaningful work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, mentorship, confidence, adaptability, kindness, and a strong, supportive team. I believe great leadership means creating an environment where people feel valued, their ideas matter, and success is shared. As a woman who stepped into ownership after the company’s male founder retired, I am proud of how the agency has evolved and how I have helped create opportunities for others to succeed alongside me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to act with confidence until confidence becomes my own. This mindset has helped me overcome imposter syndrome and understand that confidence often develops after we take the opportunity, not before. I also believe women should be recognized for their value, talent, creativity, and results—not simply because they are women.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women entering marketing to find a company and team where they feel supported, respected, and empowered to contribute. Choose a workplace that values your perspective, creativity, and individuality, not just your ability to complete tasks. Remember, if someone hired you, they already see value in what you bring—have confidence in that value.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I’m energized by the growing opportunities for women in marketing and leadership. I’ve seen increased female representation firsthand, and I believe hybrid work, flexible schedules, and greater workplace autonomy can create especially meaningful opportunities for working mothers.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith is the foundation that keeps me grounded and guides how I approach both leadership and life. It inspires me to lead with kindness, fairness, humility, and purpose while remembering that success is most meaningful when it positively impacts others. Mentorship is equally important to me because I value supporting others and helping them grow.
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