SPEAKERS

Catherine Wong (wahine/her/hers) is a dynamic force in the field of education, currently serving as the Associate Director and Manager of Programs at the Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT). In this role, she is passionately committed to diversifying the pipeline of BIPOC faculty, staff, and administrators in both PreK-12 and higher education. As the Founder and Director of Catherine Wong Consults, she leads transformative global and national initiatives, assisting organizations and higher education programs develop cutting-edge DEIJ strategies, collective leadership frameworks, and curricula that center equity and justice.

A seasoned thought leader, Ms. Wong is a frequent co-presenter at the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education. She has held key faculty and director roles at institutions like Urban Outreach Initiatives at Boston College, the Counseling Department at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and as a visiting professor at Queen’s University, Northern Ireland. Catherine is also a dedicated board leader, serving as Chair of the Leadership Brainery Board of Directors and as a member of the Social Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts (SEL4MA) Board. Her outstanding work has earned her recognition, including the City of Boston’s Extraordinary Woman Award and the inaugural Medal of Equity from Leadership Brainery. Raised in Hawai’i, Catherine draws strength and inspiration from her elders, whose vibrant ‘talk story’ during her formative years laid the foundation for her lifelong journey as an activist and leader.