Katalyst Group is a woman-owned, diversity-led boutique talent advisory firm committed to advocacy and education in this important diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence work.

We're proud to have supported these organizations and efforts along the way: National Diversity Council, Ellevate Network, Outsports Pride, National Black MBA Association, Working Wardrobes, GLAAD, Coalition for Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, Human Rights Campaign Foundation / Corporate Equality Index, Imagen, Veterans in Business, the It Gets Better Project, and Association for Latino Professionals for America to name a few.

Katalyst Group supports ongoing education (especially our own) and advocacy in this work, and we welcome the opportunity to cultivate partnerships in this space.

I’m a bit of a “word nerd” and the French word dépaysé, which means “situated in unfamiliar surroundings”; “being out of one's element”; “removed from one’s own country”, is a word that so accurately defines my most formative years.

By the time I was 13, I had lived in 5 countries on 3 continents and learned to speak several languages. Growing up in countries where I couldn’t communicate meant I was a minority during a time when “fitting in” was so important. As I sought to “fit in” and connect, I chose to assume nothing and be open to every possibility and, on my journey to understand the differences in each country, I was able to appreciate the nuances of the local people and cultures. 

When people talk about diversity in companies and teams, they tend to refer to criteria such as gender, race, etc. I believe that diversity of experience is as important because it yields new perspectives, a curiosity mindset, and greater openness to new ideas and influences; it fosters intuition and “out of the box” thinking.

When I work with clients, candidates, and in life generally, I'm able to see the value of different perspectives. Diversity, inclusiveness, global mindedness and “connecting the dots” are core to my DNA. It’s who I am.

As the oldest of 5 adopted children of different races and ethnicities, I noticed people's curiosity about our "colorful" clan that didn’t fit the nuclear family paradigm at that time. Being atypical made me thoughtful about identity, bias, and privilege from an early age.

I've had the chance to guest lecture at UCLA on race, gender & identity, build Diversity and Inclusion programs, speak with adoptive parents of foreign-born children, and design culturally relevant HR policies and systems for 20k+ global employees.

I hear people say, "There isn’t enough diverse talent available," and I think that’s a copout - or worse, an excuse to maintain the status quo. There’s incredible talent everywhere, and KG invests the extra effort and resources to build a candidate slate that reflects our clients’ communities and consumers.

Fresh perspectives and hearty debate are the birthplace of innovation...which doesn't happen as often when everyone looks and thinks alike. It's hard to invent something new if you consult the same worn-out corporate playbook. 

To be successful as a marketer, you must consistently view life from a perspective that is not your own. 

In my career, I’ve adopted the persona of a stay-at-home mom, a young African American woman, a middle-aged man and an international consumer of shapewear. Each of these instances (and many more) pushed me to think outside my own experiences, wants and assumptions.

When considering diversity, I tend to push beyond demographics and focus on what unique point of view that individual will add to the team. The rest is just packaging.

Earlier in my career as a Talent Agent with Kazarian Spencer Ruskin and Associates, I was a key leader of the KSR Diversity Practice. With an overarching mission of holistic diversity and inclusion in entertainment, this practice specialized in representing performers with disabilities for television, film and commercial projects.

While at KSR, I booked Diversity clients in series regular network television roles and lead roles in studio films. We received recognition for contributions to the industry including a SAG/AFTRA/AEA Diversity Award (The Ivy), a Changing Images in American Diversity Award, a Media Access Award of Merit, the National Down Syndrome Congress Media Award and The Arc Catalyst Award for Media.

Katalyst Group is proud to be officially certified as "woman owned" by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and the SBA. We welcome the opportunity to join your corporate supplier diversity programs and partner on your critical talent engagements.