Karla (KJ) Fales is the President and CEO of REAL Services, Inc. located in South Bend, Indiana and serving multiple counties in northcentral Indiana. Created in 1966 as part of the planning division of the United Way, KJ is only the 3rd CEO in the agency’s long history. REAL Services serves more than 30,000 older adults and low-income families through its mission to fight for the independence, dignity and strength of our community.
Prior to joining REAL Services, KJ served as the CEO of CareWell Services Southwest, an area agency on aging in Battle Creek, Michigan. Previously, she held roles in various organizations that serve older adults, as well with a community action agency and a major private foundation. She also operates her own nonprofit consulting firm and serves as an adjunct professor for Saint Mary’s College.
She was appointed to the Michigan Governor’s Protect Michigan Commission, was awarded a Joe D. Sutton Call to Justice Award for her work around elder abuse and was named an outstanding Women in Business honoree, Rotary Hero. She also was honored to be awarded the Ernestine M. Raclin (The Ernie) Community Leadership Award in 2024. Over her career, KJ has demonstrated innovation, creativity and leadership especially in the areas of elder abuse prevention and dementia friendly communities. She has presented at national and regional conferences, has been published for her work around elder abuse prevention and is a dementia care trainer.
KJ earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Organizational Development and a Certified MBA with a concentration in Health Care Administration. She also received a certificate in Gerontology and a certificate in Fundraising and Grants Management.
As a proud Michigan transplant and current South Bend resident, she has even learned to love the Fighting Irish. While attending South Bend Cubs games is great, the Tigers will always be her first sports love. She and her bossy min pin, Benny the Jet, enjoy exploring all things out of doors and making new friends wherever they go.
