Kara Bickhem May is a visionary educator with nearly 30 years of experience leading at the intersection of innovation and purpose. As Executive Director of Arts & Partnerships at Art In Motion in Chicago's South Side, she builds creative learning spaces centered on love, community, and excellence. A founding principal and Educational Partner with FREE TO DREAM™, Kara champions equity through systems like MTSS and inspires change through speaking, writing, and leadership. Her work has earned honors like WGCI’s Great 28 Changemaker Award, and she serves on boards including Getting Smart. Kara’s belief in education as a force for justice, creativity, and peace drives all she does—from classrooms to national stages—leading with love and bold vision.

Kara is also the founder of The Village Place, a leadership and strategy consulting collective that helps schools, organizations, and mission-driven leaders cultivate authentic culture, strengthen leadership capacity, and move vision into meaningful impact.

Her work has earned honors like WGCI’s Great 28 Changemaker Award, and she has served on notable boards including Getting Smart. Kara’s belief in education as a force for justice, creativity, and peace drives all she does —from classrooms to national stages — leading with love and bold vision.