Alissa Karas

Alissa Karas serves as the Director of Peer-to-Peer and Ride for Kids Fundraising at the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. In this role, she oversees the Ride for Kids program, the country’s longest-running national motorcycle charity fundraiser and a signature event for PBTF. Alissa builds and nurtures partnerships within the riding community and powersports industry, while also developing corporate collaborations and community fundraising initiatives to support the foundation’s mission.

Alissa’s career is deeply rooted in a personal loss: the death of a dear friend from brain cancer during high school. This life-changing experience profoundly shaped her perspective and inspired her to dedicate her career to showing up every day to serve others. Alissa finds motivation in PBTF’s holistic approach to supporting every member of a diagnosed child’s family. Witnessing the tangible impacts of this work each day only deepens her passion for making a difference.

A proud graduate of Penn State University with a degree in English, Alissa discovered her passion for fundraising during her junior year of college. Her career has included roles with other nonprofits and pediatric cancer-focused organizations, all of which have reinforced her commitment to creating positive change for patients and their families.

Based in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, just west of State College, Alissa enjoys spending her free time reading, cooking, and watching sports and true crime shows. She and her husband have a young son and two dogs and thoroughly enjoy spending time with them as well as their family and friends.