Carla was born in born and raised in Gawler and Williamstown. She studied to be a veterinarian at Roseworthy, before managing one of Australia's leading Shorthorn Cattle Studs at Naracoorte for several years.

She worked at The Land newspaper as a livestock specialist, which evolved into more than a decade as an editor/journalist with Fairfax Media (Rural Press) covering agriculture, news and politics. In 2013 she transferred home to the Stock Journal, before taking up the editor's role for Barossa & Light Herald, Northern Argus and The Flinders News in 2015. She has received numerous awards in journalism and photojournalism throughout her career.

In 2018 Carla became the office manager for the local Member for Schubert and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. During that period, she served as an elected member of The Barossa Council. In 2022 she made it a personal mission to encourage diversity and gender equity during local council elections, including holding a Q&A forum with the present female elected members and Member for Schubert.

Through her roles in media and local and state government, she has championed and campaigned (with success) for many grassroots causes with success, in particular water security for the region and equitable access to services and facilities.

Carla is co-convenor of the Mount Pleasant Show beef cattle section, convenor Barossa Vintage Festival Parade, Southern Barossa Alliance publicity officer, Barossa Health Advisory Council committee and a Barossa Wine Show 'glassie'. She co-ordinated the Pinery Fire Christmas Appeal.

She believes that to be Barossan is to immerse yourself in this incredible place we get to call home, and to strive where possible to enhance and progress it; that we all have a responsibility to ensure a vibrant future for those who will come after us.

Carla lives in Williamstown with her partner Michael and son Oskar, on the same patch of Barossa dirt which brought her grandparents to the Barossa in the 1960s,