Kathleen Holt (she/her) founding principal of Holt Strategies / Kathleen Holt Consulting
I have more than 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit, for-profit, and public sectors. I founded Holt Strategies in 2019 to support organizations in designing and facilitating processes and engagements that build inclusive and effective teams, support leaders in their learning and growth, and nurture values-aligned organizational cultures that prioritize people and relationships. Before working as a consultant, I was a magazine editor and nonprofit arts and culture leader.
I was raised in Hawai’i in the decades after statehood and experienced firsthand the impacts of US imperialism and settler colonialism. I’m a first-generation college student, earning my a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon, and later my master’s degree in nonfiction writing from Portland State University while working full-time and raising my children.
These lived experiences shaped my understanding of power inequities and how they are embedded in systems, policies, and behaviors. I specialize in working with clients on assessing, navigating, and changing oppressive systems and toxic work dynamics to build and nurture thriving, robust, and effective teams and workplaces.
Featured projects
Leadership Development
Kathleen is a facilitator for American Leadership Forum of Oregon’s year-long cohorts of leaders from across Oregon who travel the state to learn about challenges faced by leaders in different communities and to reflect on and build their own leadership journeys.
Organizational Culture
The Holt Strategies consulting team provided a range of services to the Portland Water Bureau, including supervision training, coaching, conflict resilience, and 360 reviews.
Organizational Development
The Holt Strategies consulting team conducted an organizational assessment of JOIN, and also recruited an interim executive director, led a participatory leadership review and evaluation, and supported board development and recruitment.
Strategic Planning
Kathleen guided Cultivate Initiatives staff and board that included engagement with board, staff, and community partners; workshops for the full staff and board; and plan development with a planning committee.
Leadership Transition
The Holt Strategies consulting team provided organizational stability for Partners for the Hunger-Free Oregon during two different leadership transitions. We provided interim ED, supervision, strategic planning, human resources, and executive director recruitment services.
Facilitation
Kathleen facilitated several processes for Youth, Rights & Justice, including a strategic planning process, a staff retreat, and the executive director’s annual review and evaluation.
Work in action
