Bright, energetic and alert to the ebb and flow of societal issues that impact companies and communities, Kathryn Schanen Kissam brings years of solid experience and passion to the issues she is involved with today. Believing that everyone has tremendous potential but not equal opportunity, Kathryn spends her time working to create innovative and accessible educational programs. Kathryn was a founding member of New Schools Baton Rouge and is loyal supporter of City Year. Kathryn helped found The Foundation for East Baton Rouge School System, a nonprofit dedicated to improving science, technology, engineering, and math programs in Baton Rouge’s public school system so they are more aligned with the community’s changing workforce needs.

Kathryn served as the Foundation’s first Chair of the Board. Since relocating to Charlotte in 2016, Kathryn and her husband Luke championed a feasibility study to determine if launching an affiliation of Baton Rouge Youth Coalition in Charlotte was strategic and viable. Later this year, she will join the board of Charlotte Mecklenburg School Foundation.