Support from the Manitou Fund has allowed Katie Leadership Impact to offer programming like the Women of Color Leadership Series, pictured above. With the Manitou Fund's renewal of support, this next phase will grow KLI's reach and effectiveness with expanded offerings.
St. 做厙輦⑹ announced today that the Manitou Fund recently renewed its support of Katie Leadership Impact (KLI) with a commitment of $1.5 million through 2027. It is a continuation of a commitment that Manitou Fund made in 2021 when it pledged $1.25 million to establish the undergraduate program that fosters leadership capabilities through coursework, applied learning, professional activities, and student support.
I could not be more excited to continue the important work we have accomplished with the Manitou Fund, said Anupama Pasricha, PhD, dean of the School of Business at St. 做厙輦⑹. Each year we see how KLI acts not just as a critical support for our growing student body, but also as a space to bring like-minded community members together to learn from the success of remarkable leaders and build a more just and equitable future for all.
The impact of KLI programming has spanned generations. The Women of Color Leadership Series has brought together students and leaders from outside of St. Kates to listen and learn from leadership journeys of women such as Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, Coach Dawn Staley, and Afghanistan activists Pashtana Durrani and Roya Mahboob. The Lead and Influence Entrepreneurship Camp brings secondary school-age students to campus for an immersive experience to help them shape their paths forward and connect their future leadership opportunities to the education opportunities they can pursue through higher education.
In this next phase of support, additional features that will expand the programs reach and effectiveness include:
- Leaders Across Borders, a course that emphasizes what leading means and how its understood in varying global and cultural contexts, culminating in an immersive in-person or virtual global learning experience to learn first hand from women leaders abroad.
- The next phase also includes scholarship funding for Leaders Across Borders participants who may have financial impediments that impact their ability to join the program.
- The Power of Telling Her Story, a course that elevates storytelling as a way for students to explore their experiences of struggle, courage, and resilience as journeys that helped develop their confidence and capabilities as a leader.
- An expanded Mentorship Hub that will serve all School of Business students, using a reciprocal learning model where experienced mentors share their wisdom while mentees bring fresh perspectives in a dynamic exchange that contributes to mutual learning.
Another facet of continued support for St. Kates students is how KLI supports student persistence and success: a portion of KLIs funding will go to need-based financial support for students. Since KLI was created, the number of students receiving support through Pell Grants or the Minnesota State Grant increased 13% and 11%, respectively indicating that todays students will benefit from the added support from programs like KLI which result in the ultimate goal of degree completion.
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