“I’ve never heard anyone talk about social media like that.”

The statement most often made after Catherine’s presentations. That is chiefly because social media is not the end game, it’s a tool used to achieve definable and measurable goals. That goal might be new business, more sales, brand awareness, cause marketing, driving memberships, increasing registrations, raising money, advancing a career, building a network or getting out the vote. A strategy  has to be in place for the tools to be effective and that is what is missing from most discussions around social media/digital media platforms.

In 2022, it’s about civic engagement. Catherine works with human services organizations and non-profits on messaging, organizing, and legislative advocacy. Technology tools can be used effectively in communicating goals, building communities of interest, and influencing public policy. Movements of any kind require the ability to broaden the reach of the message, the ability to include more people in the effort, and the constant building of relationships with policy makers. Communities are increasingly more diverse in thought, experience and perspective and those voices need to be heard above the noise of the status quo. Inertia is a powerful forces and it requires tremendous effort to move forward.

Catherine has a deep and abiding love of books, ideas, interesting people, great conversations, inspiring endeavors and worthy causes. She takes photos of nearly everything because photos tell a story in a different way and there is joy in sharing them with others. She believes in the power of community and the ability of one person to make a difference.