Atlas Corps volunteers are essential to the organization for making sure things run smoothly. Today, we would like to talk more about Atlas Corps Group Captains. Our Group Captains facilitate monthly peer coaching groups as part of our new Virtual Leadership Institute, an online learning community for global social change leaders from around the world.
Since launching the Virtual Leadership Institute, 16 Atlas Corps Alumni became our Group Captains helping Scholars create a productive environment for co-learning, develop leadership projects, and guide discussions about leadership and social impact. Today we talk with Kate, Atlas Corps Alumna from Kenya and an excellent Group Captain for the Atlas Corps Virtual Leadership Institute. Kate is the Director of Programs at She’s the First, a nonprofit organization fighting gender inequality through education.
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Name: Kate Kiama Home Country: Kenya Current Organization: Director of Programs at She’s the First Social Issue/Interest Area: Girls’ rights Fun fact: I love traveling and |
Why did you decide to volunteer for Atlas Corps as a Group Captain?
Atlas Corps has been a significant part of my career development and I am a firm believer in the adage water where you were planted. After serving in the Atlas Corps Selection Committee for a while, I was excited to volunteer in a new way through the Group Captain role where I had more control over my time. As a Programs Director, discussing theories of change and program design was something that felt natural to me and was more than happy to share best practices and insights and add on to my learning from Scholars.
How has volunteering with Atlas Corps impacted you?
As always, interacting with Scholars leaves me more inspired and hopeful in humanity. Learning about each Scholar’s social change project has also broadened my perspective and created awareness on issues affecting different communities and possible solutions and interventions being deployed to solve the same. Creating lasting relationships with Scholars in different countries is also something am grateful for!
What message would you like to send to individuals who are thinking of volunteering with Atlas Corps as a Group Captain?
It’s a worthwhile experience which will force you to grow and interact with social issues that may be outside your expertise. Scholars are passionate and driven and the group coaching calls are sessions you will actively be looking forward to having great conversations, and tons of fun.
Atlas Corps Scholar Rachit (Cohort 2, India) shares, “My Group Captain Kate is one of the most helpful and dedicated people I have come across in the Virtual Leadership Institute. She has always been prompt to respond, support, and has one of the calmest demeanors which helps in bringing out the best in others. Kudos Kate for being such a wonderful person, this experience has truly been more meaningful to me because of you.”
Thank you, Kate and our hundreds of volunteers who help achieve the Atlas Corps mission every day. Learn more about becoming a volunteer at volunteer.atlascorps.org.
On November 20, Atlas Corps celebrates 15 years of engaging social change leaders. Join us to honor our legacy of service with more than 1,100 leaders from 110 countries at the Atlas Corps 15-Year Anniversary Gala. We will convene friends of Atlas Corps from all sectors and regions of the world to reflect on 15 years of engaging social changemakers and inspire towards our future. Join to connect with our community, meet Fellows, and celebrate Atlas Corps!
Photo from Kate’s personal archive
