Katya Armistead

About Katya Armistead

Katya Armistead is a seasoned educator, mentor, and community leader with over 35 years of experience in higher education and nonprofit service. She currently serves as the Co-Executive Director of Programs at Leading From Within, where she co-leads the organization, focusing on leadership development, program strategy, and supporting changemakers across the region. In this role, she oversees program implementation, alumni engagement, and the cultivation of authentic, equity-driven leadership throughout the social sector.Katya spent the majority of her career at UC Santa Barbara, where she most recently served as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Life. In that role, she led the Student Life Cluster, taught in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, and advanced initiatives related to campus climate, equity, and student well-being. She was a member of both the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs’ executive committee and the Chancellor’s senior leadership team.In the broader Santa Barbara community, Katya has long been a force for impact. She served for a decade on the Board of Directors for Family Service Agency (including as co-chair),co-creating Youth Making Change, a youth-led grantmaking program of The Fund for Santa Barbara, and is currently serving on the Boards of Women’s Economic Venture (WEV), The Association For Women in Communication (AWC-SB), and The Women’s Fund. She is a proud alum of the Katherine Harvey Fellows (KHF) and currently serves as a co-facilitator for the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), supporting the next generation of nonprofit and civic leaders.Katya earned both her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC Santa Barbara. She is also a certified trainer for The Leadership Challenge®. She is recognized for her inclusive leadership, community-centered values, and commitment to developing individuals and systems that foster lasting change.

Experience

1. Senior Consultant

   Equity Praxis Group, Llc

   Jan 2021 — Present · CA, US

Education

• UC Santa Barbara

  Bachelor of Arts, Sociology

  1984 — 1988

• UC Santa Barbara

  Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Educational Leadership

  2009 — 2012

• Azusa Pacific University

  Masters, Edcuation with emphasis in College Student Affairs

  2002 — 2005

Skills

• Student Affairs
• Non-Profits
• Program Development
• Admissions
• Community Outreach
• Research
• Conflict Resolution
• Public Speaking
• Fundraising
• Passion for Helping Others
• Event Planning
• Career Counseling
• Grant Writing
• Diversity Training
• Social Networking
• Student Development
• Volunteer Management
• Teaching
• Leadership Development
• Staff Development
• Student Services
• Student Engagement
• Nonprofits
• Mentoring
• Academic Advising
• Student Leadership
• Kindness
• Social Media
• Editing
• Higher Education
• Event Management