Her Story
About Karla
I began my career in the aerospace manufacturing industry at just 17 years old, entering the field while completing high school through independent study. What started as an early opportunity grew into a lifelong profession, and today I bring 25 years of experience supporting highly regulated aerospace and medical device manufacturing environments.
Much of my work has focused on aerospace programs across military, commercial, and private sectors, where I’ve led quality system development, implementation, internal auditing, and compliance efforts aligned with AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and NADCAP standards. I’m particularly passionate about supporting our military, and I take pride in helping ensure the reliability and integrity of the systems that serve them.
Throughout my career, I’ve been known for translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, sustainable quality processes that strengthen both compliance and day-to-day operations. I believe quality is most effective when it supports people, performance, and purpose.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my three children, horseback riding, and gardening—activities that keep me grounded and connected, both personally and professionally.
My Current Role
As a Lead Internal Auditor at General Atomics, I lead AS9100 Rev D–based internal audits that support compliance, risk mitigation, and continuous improvement across complex aerospace manufacturing and operational environments. My role includes supporting and preparing organizations for DCMA 8210 audits, ensuring alignment with government and customer requirements and strengthening audit readiness across programs.
With 25 years of industry experience, I bring a collaborative, systems-focused approach to auditing that goes beyond checklist compliance. I work closely with cross-functional teams to identify systemic risks, drive effective corrective actions, and enhance overall quality maturity. My focus is on building sustainable processes that support product integrity, mission readiness, and programs critical to national defense.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Karla
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a strong work ethic developed early in my career, a genuine curiosity about how things work, and the people I’ve learned from along the way. I’ve been fortunate to work in environments where quality truly matters, especially in support of our military, and that sense of purpose has shaped how I approach both my work and leadership.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was to focus on building my skills, not just my job title. I’ve learned to master the basics, pay attention to details, support my team, and keep learning—because the more capable I become, the more opportunities naturally follow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If I could give advice to a young woman starting in manufacturing, I’d say: focus on building your skills, stay curious, and always be willing to learn. Pair a positive attitude with a strong work ethic, pay attention to the details, support your team, and keep growing—because how you show up every day will open doors and create opportunities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in aerospace manufacturing right now is that many seasoned, highly skilled professionals are nearing retirement, and we risk losing critical expertise if we don’t capture and share their knowledge. At the same time, there aren’t enough young people entering the industry to replace them—even though the sector is growing—so there’s a real gap between demand for talent and the workforce available. That also creates a huge opportunity: for anyone willing to learn, work hard, and adapt, there’s space to grow, take on responsibility earlier, and help shape the future of quality and manufacturing in aerospace.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are integrity, doing the right thing, and treating people with respect. I believe it’s essential to be honest and accountable in both work and personal life, make decisions that are ethical, and approach every interaction with kindness and fairness. Living by these values helps me build trust, strong relationships, and a positive impact wherever I’m involved.
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