KATHERINE SYER
Grant Specialist

Katherine brings more than 25 years of advocacy, research and fundraising experience in the education and nonprofit spheres to her role as WJC's grant specialist.

As an award-winning teacher and mentor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she helped diverse populations of students meet their research and communication skills goals. She is especially proud of her many students who now pay it forward as mentors, serving the next generation in an ever-evolving world.

During her tenure at UIUC she also organized and helped fund partnerships with external organizations, facilitating events that often centered on social issues. She is an active public scholar and publication editor, and dramaturg for opera and spoken theater. Notable collaborators include Moisés Kaufman (Tectonic Theater Project), Sasha Velour, and Joel Ivany.

Since moving to the Greater Los Angeles Area, Katherine has devoted her time and energy increasingly to the social change and performing arts nonprofit sectors. Joining WJC's team deepens her commitment to youth development in a region she values for its natural splendors and hiking opportunities, in addition to its abundantly creative residents.