the Athena Group

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Catherine Verrenti

Catherine (she/her) brings unique passion and first-hand knowledge of the role of networks in the early learning and youth development landscape, and a deep commitment to quality programming that produces equitable results for children and families. With more than twenty years of direct service leadership, she knows first-hand the complexity of decision making in the local non-profit environment. Her experience merges executive leadership at Neighborhood House and YouthCare with a commitment to results accomplished through quality and responsive programming, analysis and strategic action, and strong organizational infrastructure.  

Her sector experience includes family support, youth development, health, workforce development, homelessness/housing stability, education, and immigrant/refugee issues. She was a founding member and Board Chair of the Youth Development Executives of King County, a regional network of youth development organizations. Catherine was also the Director of Youth Systems Improvement for the Washington Workforce Association, supporting youth workforce development programs across the state.  

In 2016, Catherine focused this passion and experience in a consulting practice centered on building capacity in mission-based organizations. Her expertise includes group facilitation, strategic planning, coalition building, assessment, organizational development, staff learning & development and interim leadership staffing. She has a unique ability to synthesize information and connect the dots to recognize opportunities and challenges in a way that leads to clear decision making. As a technical support/capacity building for Best Starts for Kids, she brings systems and operations level perspective on the early learning and youth serving community of providers in King County.  

Coaching Profile