In November, the Kinship Fund welcomed Kathryn Clauzel as our new Director of Operations & Strategy. Kathryn brings extensive experience in non-profit work, and her perspective in leadership at a local nonprofit is precisely the perspective we lean into – centering nonprofit organizations in our grantmaking practice. We are excited to share some reflections from Kathryn.
Even as a young child, I had an acute awareness I have only one life and it needed to be meaningful—whatever that meant. As I got older, that “whatever” became harder and harder to define. I tried different interests through high school to find a sense of purpose, but still felt directionless. As graduation approached and pressure mounted to choose a college major, I settled on Child Development and told myself I was on a right enough path. Surely, I’d do something that matter – it would come to me eventually.. right? But underneath it all, I felt unanchored.
Before I knew it, I was in my third year of college and still felt lost, uninspired, and at this point, deeply frustrated. I needed a break. So when an opportunity to travel arose just before my senior year, I took it without hesitation—unaware that this small decision would quietly alter the course of my life.
After a month of playing tourist with my sister in Thailand, I traveled on to Tanzania, where my mom was serving as a missionary. With six weeks left in my summer break, I arrived ready for adventure. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt an unexpected sense of clarity and calm. The questions and fear that had followed me for years fell silent. I knew something special was in the works and decided, instinctively, to say yes to whatever came next.
It wasn’t even the third day I was in Tanzania when I met a beautiful and gracious husband-and- wife missionary couple who had immersed themselves in the community. With welcome arms, they invited me to come alongside them as they poured into the immeasurable needs around them. We visited hospitals where they offered medical aid, spent time with children in orphanages, taught English at the local schools, and so much more. Each week held a different adventure, but one practice remained constant: Nearly every day, rain or shine, we’d load up the car with as much food as we could fit, and drive to a nearby village to prepare meals for the children of the the community. With the help of local parents, we served over 300 meals a day—seconds and thirds encouraged—then spent time with parents and children alike, painting nails, playing soccer, sharing stories, or just resting in the shade with full and happy bellies.
For nearly six weeks, I joyfully went to village after village with this sweet missionary duo, and somewhere in the dust and heat and laughter, something in me clicked. This was real community. There was no big organization, no spectacle—just people showing up for one another with consistency and genuine care. It was the most real version of impact I had ever seen. It wasn’t about any one person making a difference. It was the power of joining forces with the entire community—rooted in love and shared joy—that amplified impact across whole villages. Alone, none of us could have done much. Together, we were creating something truly life-changing for everyone involved.
When it was time to say my farewells, I knew what I needed to do.
I returned home for my senior year reinvigorated and immediately reshaped my coursework around child advocacy. I began interning at a local nonprofit and chose a senior thesis focused on the impacts of malnutrition on neglected children. Motivation and clarity poured in, and I realized I had found something rare—a purpose beyond myself. I learned that impact was never about having a prestigious title or an impressive résumé. Real impact doesn’t happen in isolation; it takes root—and lasts—when people come together, stand in solidarity, and actively channel their passion toward change.
That realization marked the beginning of what is now a 10+ year career in the nonprofit sector, grounded in community empowerment and service rooted in humanity.
Today, my passion extends beyond mission-driven work alone. I care deeply about helping nonprofits thrive by building work that invites community and is supported by clarity, structure, and stability. I’m drawn to organizations fueled by heart, and committed to ensuring their impact doesn’t collapse under burnout or chaos. I’m honored to join alongside Kim at the Kinship Fund, helping transform early passion into lasting impact and ensuring the most important work in our communities is built to endure.
With gratitude,
Kathryn