I've been designing and leading creative community gatherings, workshops and events since 2001. One of my biggest passions in life is connecting with people and providing strategies for them to feel more empowered to create fulfilling lives, express themselves authentically, and form meaningful connections with others.
"Kat welcomed me to the Big Island Hawaii Retreat of Kalani Honua with a radiant smile and an open heart. I attended all of her workshops and presentations because her topics were original, intriguing, resourceful, and ingeniously presented." — Emily Harris, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
// ADULTS
Better than Small Talk — An evening of uncommon authenticity, designed to help strangers and friends form meaningful connections through vulnerable and unexpected conversation. - Oakland, May 2017
Better than Small Talk — Los Angeles, June 2016
Better than Small Talk — Oakland, April 2016
Better than Small Talk — Seattle, March 2016
Bay Area Black Designers Meetup — A professional development community - San Francisco Bay Area, 2015 - Current
Ideation & Libations — Facilitating a space where participants harness innovation and design thinking to create innovative solutions to societal challenges - Social Good Tech Week, General Assembly, San Francisco 2015
Creative Integration of the Light and Shadow Within — Social Artists Festival, Whidbey Island, Washington 2014
tinyIgnite: An educational immersion in surprise and inspiration – Lightning talks about unexpected topics - San Francisco 2014
Hatch Weekend: A juicy delicious creative incubation retreat – Big Island of Hawaii 2014
tinyIgnite: An Evening of Surprise, Education and Inspiration – Lightning talks about unexpected topics - numerous sessions, Kalani, Hawaii 2013
If You Really Knew Me: An Evening of Authentic Connection for the Ohana – Moving beyond small talk, this community-building event focused on authentic connection to help the residents of a retreat center and intentional community form more meaningful connections through conversation - Kalani, Hawaii 2013
Eco-Friendly Body: A seminar on removing toxic products from your personal care routine – Kalani, Hawaii 2013
Women Who Run With the Wolves: A storytelling & empowerment workshop for women – multiple sessions, Kalani, Hawaii 2013
Guiding Lights Weekend: Creativity is the path to Powerful Mentoring — Community-building session for conference participants - Seattle 2008
Bioneers Conference: Community-Building Community-building session for conference participants - Seattle 2008
Integrating the Arts Across Curriculum – Training for students in the IslandWood Graduate Program, Bainbridge Island, Washington 2008-2009,
Creative Teaching Methods – Training for students in the University of Washington Dance & Movement program, Seattle 2008
Integrating the Arts into your Program – AmeriCorps SERVES Training, Washington 2008
Theater for Community-Building – AmeriCorps SERVES Training, Washington 2008
Creative Development & Self-Renewal — AmeriCorps SERVES Training, Washington 2008
Bioneers Conference: Community-Building — Seattle 2007
Green Festival: Performer, Spoken Word Poetry — Seattle 2007
Creative Facilitation 1: Express Yourself – multiple sessions, The Power of Hope, Seattle & Oakland 2007-2014,
Poetspeak: An all-poetry open mic – Creator, curator and host of biweekly sessions 2001-2005
// YOUTH
Photography Classes and Mentoring – 2009-2012, Youth in Focus, Young Women Empowered
Threadbanger: Fashion Remaking & Remixing – 2010, Young Women Empowered
Personal Power Shrines – 2010, The Power of Hope
The Monologue Project – 2007-2009, Toppenish School District and Burlington School District, The Power of Hope in partnership with the University of Washington GEAR UP
Youth Empowerment through the Arts — Lead facilitator of numerous camps and workshops on a variety of topics, 2006-2009, The Power of Hope
Poetry & Creative Writing – 2007-2009, numerous sessions, The Power of Hope, Seattle & Eugene
Hip Hop Hope — 2007-2009, Teaching Artist and Core Facilitation Team Member, Seattle & Leavenworth
Nature Writing – 2008, Earth Arts Weekend, Leavenworth
Women in Hip Hop – 2008, Hip Hop Hope Weekend, Leavenworth
Fashion Freestyle Weekend, volunteer mentor – 2007, Whidbey Island
Note: This is a partial list of my Experiential Facilitation work. To see my Digital/User Experience Design work, please check out my Portfolio pieces linked above.