“Recognizing that there is leadership in every community”

Program Overview

Since 2016, Public Agency at WMCAT has worked with organizations locally, statewide, and nationally to foster cultures of equity, action, and innovation. Informed by our experience with design methodologies and multi-sector collaborations, the Community Catalysts Program equips aspiring leaders with the tools and mindsets to be innovators, pushing for equitable outcomes in the spaces they occupy. The program convenes a cross-section of individuals across race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status to explore how human-centered design principles can be paired with equity-centered practices to transform services, experiences, and ultimately systems in our communities.

Applications are now closed for the fall 2021 Community Catalysts program. Stay tuned for future opportunities!

Over a multi-session cohort experience, Community Catalysts will:

Build a practice that recognizes how our personal identity and biases can influence how we engage with stakeholders in a system

Understand how to use tools such as empathy listening, rapid prototyping, and testing

Apply your learning through strategic project-based work in real-time

Community of Catalysts

Adam Weiler

Connect
Designer, Educator, Social Entrepreneur, Process Facilitator, System Thinker

Adrian Butler

Connect
DJ, Musician, Artist

Alexandria Polk-Lewis

Connect
Public Administration, Human Resources, and Grassroots Engagement

Alisha Cowell

Connect
Program Coordination and Management, Diversity and Inclusion, Education, Emotional Wellness, Student Affairs, and Health

Amelea Pegman

Connect

Anissa Eddie

Connect
Strategic Thinker, Bridge Builder, Social Entrepreneur, Justice Seeker

Benjamin Oliver

Connect
Collective Impact, Education Equity, Community Advocacy

Brandy Arnold

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Racial equity work, Writing, Communications, Youth development

Carlos Estrada

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Creative Direction, Information Design, Diversity + Inclusion, Social Media Enthusiast, Public Speaking

Carolina Lopez-Ruiz

Connect
Youth Development, Project Management, Program Planning, Photography

Christina Downs

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Storytelling, Problem Solving, Brand Strategy, Public Speaking

Daniel Williams

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Public Educator and Administrator, Workforce Developer, Equity Advocate, Process Facilitator

Gabriel Audu

Connect

Greg Mutch

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Leadership Development, Coaching, Co-Creator and Facilitator, Mindfulness

Jamon Alexander

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Workforce Development, Philanthropy, Leadership

Josh Kehrer

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Facilitation, Business Strategy, Innovation, Communication, Brand Development

Joyce Williams

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Child and Family Services, Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, Psychology, Sociology, and Mental health

Katie Hunter

Connect
Project Manager, Copywriter, User Researcher, Experience Designer, Philosopher

Kirk Eklund

Connect
Public Speaker, Content Developer, Process Facilitator, Disruptor

Kristina Donaldson

Connect

Kyle Lim

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Race Theory, Program Development, Advocacy, 麻婆豆腐/Mapo Tofu

Leanne Rhoads

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Project Management, Program Development, Strategic Planning

Loic Dimithe

Connect

Matthew Russell

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Journalist, Data analyst, Vegan baker,and Inventor

Natasha Alvarez

Connect

Ryan Kilpatrick

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Certified Economic Development Finance Professional and Certified Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners. Masters Degree in Design Thinking from KCAD

Shavon Doyle-Holton

Connect
Research, Writing/Editing, Design & Innovation Management, Project Management, Facilitation

Sung Yi

Connect
UX Designer, Product Designer, Fine Artist

Tiffany DeMeyers

Connect
Human Resources + Marketing Worldchanger, Creative Strategist, Operational Expert

Trina Poston

Connect

Trudy Ngo-Brown

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Idea Synthesizer, Process Improvement Seeker, Youth Developer, Food Enthusiast