Catherine Wong

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT CATHERINE WONG

I lead global and national organizations and higher education programs in developing strategy, collective leadership, curriculum, and training centering on diversity, equity, and inclusion.My work as Director, Consultant, and Training Facilitator has been highly recognized. My effectiveness is the result of my direct ability to advocate from the heart and to be unwavering in supporting youth and early career educators/professionals of color -all while engaging with the Aloha spirit of community and care, drawn from my Chinese Hawaiian cultural background. As an acclaimed diversity, equity, and inclusion scholar-practitioner, my leadership experience spans K-12 through higher education. I also engage with community-based organizations to co-construct strategic planning initiatives.At the core of my practice is my competence to work with diverse groups in engaging and navigating difficult dialogue for the purpose of transformation versus perpetuating the status quo. I create brave and vital spaces for dialogue and action planning. In this way, students/stakeholders become empowered to pivot from hierarchical decision-making to collaborative action planning. With my guidance, groups develop innovative skills to mobilize informal and formal networks of allied support that allow for surviving and thriving even when faced with the most challenging of circumstances.Throughout my career, I have valued the dramatic storytelling of my Tai-Tais (great grandmothers) and extended family. Their stories of bringing disparate groups together despite prejudice and stereotypes instilled in me the desire to become a cultural bridge builder. I honor my ancestors’ legacy as I continue to grow and refine my craft as a lifelong educator.