Kate Gerson
Founder & CEO of REthinc
Kate Gerson is a powerful advocate for equity in American institutions. With over 25 years racial equity work and education leadership…
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Kate Gerson is a powerful advocate for equity in American institutions. With over 25 years racial equity work and education leadership, Kate has emerged as a thought leader widely respected for her ability to translate research into action and data into comprehensible truths. She built a national reputation leading transformational learning experiences at the Standards Institute where teams of professionals find urgency and information regarding systemic racism in American schools.
Previously, Kate was a Senior Fellow at the Regents Research Fund, where she led New York State’s academic projects under Secretary John B King Jr., including EngageNY, the first K-12 ELA and math curriculum aligned with high standards. She founded and led UnboundED (the host organization Standards Institute), working at the intersection of racism and learning to shift practice, share information, and build a community of thoughtful folks invested in growing and learning at work. Prior to her work at UnboundEd and New York State, Kate was an Executive Director at New Leaders, the founding principal of a model transfer high school for over-aged and-under-credited students in New York City, and began her career as an award-winning high school English teacher in Indianapolis Public Schools. She is a proud third generation educator and a single mom of two daughters attending New York City public schools. Kate has hosted thousands of people at large scale learning events and provided a model for the kind of granular, detailed thinking needed for change. Her experience working with and training educators and leaders informed her passionate perspective on the orientation towards responsibility and learning required to create the sustainable behavioral and systems changes we know we need.
Kate is the CEO and co-founder of REthinc, a diversity, equity and inclusion firm focused on creating cultural and systems change in organizations while reducing the harm that often occurs as workplaces move through the growing pains of equity work, culture building, and organizational learning. REthinc’s group of practitioners are committed to the deconstruction of systemic racism in the public and private sectors.
Kate shares the compelling message that the status quo isn’t good enough and that with honesty, courage and community, the change we need is within our grasp. She invites leaders from every field and industry to join the conversation, understand why the details matter and how small decisions can make all the difference. Each time she speaks, her listeners are called to confront their own role in the system and move closer to leading change.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Instructional Excellence: What Does It Look Like?
Finding Ourselves in “Equity”
Integrity, Race & Leadership in 2022
Building a Future with Our Schools
Videos
Systematic Racism - Kate Gerson
Talk About Race - Kate Gerson
Books
News
Testimonials
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