Women's History Month Spotlight: Kathy Yager

Posted March 29, 2024

As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month, we’d like to highlight another woman who continues to live out Catholic Charities’ mission.

Meet Kathy Yager, Director of Performance Improvement!

Kathy grew up in North Ridgeville, Ohio with her family and got married right out of high school.

“I grew up in North Ridgeville, Ohio and I got married out of high school and then didn’t get a chance to go to college until I was divorced,” Kathy said.

After her divorce, Kathy had the opportunity to attend Oberlin College on a scholarship which turned her life completely around.

“That [going to college] turned my whole life trajectory around,” Kathy said.

Once she graduated from Oberlin, she decided to further her education and studied at Case Western Reserve to receive her Master’s.

Kathy interned at a nonprofit that focused on community corrections in Cleveland and fell in love with this type of work.

“I was smitten with the nonprofit world,” Kathy said.

She then took a part-time position with Hispanic Humadaop, which eventually led her to Catholic Charities in 2007.

“I really saw how hard the work is to work in direct practice, and how much support the people in direct practice needed, and I thought ‘that’s for me’” Kathy said.

Whenever Kathy sees the progression of women, she thinks about Women’s History Month.

“When I left high school, the expectation was either get a job and—in a couple of different fields, or get married, and it’s not that same way anymore,” Kathy said.

Times are different now with women in the work field, and Kathy makes sure she lets her staff know she’s always there for them.

“One of the things I talk to my staff about is that balance,” Kathy said. “…and how can I help with that balance, how can I assist you?”

Not only does Kathy encourage those in the workplace, but she also encourages her granddaughter to go after what she wants.

“…There are places where someone will want to block you, but there really are no limits. Just hold that true and do what you really believe you’re supposed to be doing,” Kathy said.