Minneapolis mental health non-profit adds proven global culture executive to Leadership and sustains its commitment to its workforce as it expands access for kids and families.
MINNEAPOLIS, October, 1 2024 — Washburn Center for Children has named Kathryn Coleman, Ph.D., to the newly created Vice President, Culture role. Coleman brings strategic experience in talent and culture transformation to Washburn Center for Children, amid surging demand for mental health care and the pressure to build a workforce to meet community need.
In its 141st year of community-based service, Dr. Coleman joins a predominantly BIPOC leadership team. The growth of BIPOC leadership is significant as the agency continues to fortify and ensure culturally responsive care for children and families; of note, more than 55% of those served by Washburn Center identify as BIPOC. Craig Warren was named to the CEO role in 2022 as the agency’s first BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) CEO in its history.
Washburn Center is strengthening its resolve and building capacity to deliver on its mission.
“We will not back down on tackling the children’s mental health care crisis. Our communities’ kids need us now more than ever,” says Craig Warren, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Washburn Center for Children. “We cannot do this work without compassionate clinicians who are dedicated to community-based work – making our culture a critical piece for delivering on our mission. Washburn Center is a safety-net and our commitment is every kid and family who need Washburn Center for Children gets our services.”
Most recently, Dr. Coleman served as the Senior Vice President, Chief Talent and Diversity Officer for 3M and is the founder of KJC Consulting. Earlier in her career, Kathryn held leadership roles at esteemed organizations including Supervalu, the University of Minnesota and William Mitchell College of Law.
“As Washburn Center transforms youth mental health care, Kathryn is a leader who will help us shape a workforce that is ‘all in’ for kids in our communities,” Warren says. “Her wealth of experience is vital as we ignite our workforce to further extend the mission of Washburn Center.”
Dr. Coleman partners with Warren, the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team in creating people-first strategies and implementing culture initiatives to support the growth of Washburn Center’s mission. Coleman’s experience sets forth an executive collaborator who is committed to advancing Washburn Center’s mission and staff who support it.
“I am privileged and honored to lead human resources at Washburn Center,” Dr. Coleman says. “My professional and academic journey has been dedicated to advancing personal and mental health. Being part of an organization that offers essential mental health support to children is the most meaningful work I can imagine.”
Advancing talent, diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a hallmark of Dr. Coleman’s career across private, public and nonprofit sectors. It’s also evident through her involvement in various local and national boards, as well as her receipt of prestigious awards recognizing her
leadership including the 2023 Community Leadership Award from Celebrating Sistas, the 2022 Trailblazer Award from Women of Color in Pharma, the 2017 Circle and Flame Honorary Fellow Award, and the 2015 Peter C. Thorpe Leadership Award from the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management.
Dr. Coleman earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in counseling and student personnel psychology from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Macalester College.
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Washburn Center for Children leads in child-centered care with the broadest and deepest spectrum of outpatient children’s mental health services in Minnesota. With one of the largest teams of children’s mental health therapists, its community-based model is strengthened by families and children served and grounded by impact that reaches to family networks, neighborhoods, schools and communities. Washburn Center is also a leader in training mental health professionals in trauma-informed, evidence-based care. Visit washburn.org for more information.
Contact:
Julie Carver, mobile: 612-597-0934, Julie.carver@washburn.org