33 | Education: Spring Hill College | Company: Communities Foundation of Texas
Katie Kuehl’s path into the nonprofit sector was shaped by a family that prioritized community service.
“Community involvement never felt like a choice for me, it was a way of life,” she said.
After college, Kuehl spent a year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She later served families experiencing homelessness at Raphael House, a family shelter in San Francisco.
As senior officer of scholarships and nonprofit funds at Communities Foundation of Texas, Kuehl has left a significant mark on Dallas’ philanthropic landscape. She credits her colleagues and partners for encouraging her to continue her mission to empower her community.
“When I moved to Dallas, I didn’t have to decide if I would get involved, I just had to find my place,” she said.
Kuehl manages scholarship programs that award more than $2 million annually to over 400 students, while also guiding over 50 nonprofits in the region.
“No two fund relationships are the same, and each day brings new questions related to financials, compliance, fundraising, and other complex challenges,” she explained.
Beyond her professional work, Kuehl supports local programs through the Junior League of Dallas, reflecting her philosophy that community involvement is integral to building meaningful change.
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
Community involvement never felt like a choice for me, it was a way of life. Growing up in Memphis, my parents and brothers modeled the importance of giving back through their work with scouts, schools, nonprofits, and gap years serving as volunteers after college. In college, I joined a service learning community where I made lifelong friends who are all still dedicated to service in one way or another. This also inspired me to spend a year in service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps after college. When I moved to Dallas, I didn’t have to decide if I would get involved, I just had to find my place. I am grateful that I found Communities Foundation of Texas, where each day I am surrounded by colleagues and partners who are highly involved in the community and encourage me to do the same.
What is your favorite part of your current job or community involvement?
The highlight of my job and my time with the Junior League of Dallas is the community I’ve gained. The philanthropic sector is uniquely intertwined, and I love the opportunity to connect with and learn from those who are making a real difference. Being part of this network of givers has shaped my career and personal life.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you graduated from high school?
Absolutely not! I thought I’d be an efficiency expert working for FedEx in Memphis with my theoretical house full of kids and a husband. By the end of the first semester in college, I realized I was destined to study math and find a career within the philanthropic sector to problem-solve social issues alongside a community of caring peers. My high school self would not believe how much I’ve traveled, how many people I’ve met, or all the other ways I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone. My college self would be proud.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
If you don’t count washing dishes at my family’s bakery, babysitting, or working at a summer camp for preschoolers all before I turned 16, my first job was working at TCBY. It was my favorite job to date (sorry CFT, it’s hard to beat working in a dessert shop!) It was my introduction to responsibility in the workplace. Reflecting on that time, it taught me that when you empower and trust young people, tasking them with inventory, finances, opening and closing the store, they will rise to the occasion. It also instilled in me a deep respect for the service industry and a firsthand look at how a simple positive interaction can completely shift someone’s day.
Was there a “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career? If so, what was it?
Before moving to Dallas, I worked at a family shelter in San Francisco that was funded entirely by philanthropy. I was intrigued by this model and recognized how important it is to connect donors to the causes they care about to make social change possible. I knew that in my next role I wanted to be part of influencing philanthropic dollars and helping donors identify their passions to make a difference in the community.
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
Reflecting on my career thus far, I am proudest of having facilitated the distribution of over $12 million in scholarship funding to thousands of students over the past nine years. I believe that education is a powerful equalizer and my hope is that these scholarships have removed financial barriers and served as a catalyst for each student’s success and their family’s future.
Which leadership skills have been the most challenging for you to develop and why?
Delegation is a leadership skill I am learning and refining. I like to think that I naturally gravitate toward a servant leadership style and often prefer to step in and help rather than direct others. While that approach has helped me build strong relationships and support my team, I have learned that it can sometimes limit opportunities for others to grow and develop their own leadership skills.
I recognize that effective delegation is not about assigning tasks, but about trusting others and creating space for them to succeed. I am continuing to work on balancing my instinct to be hands-on with the need to step back, think more strategically, and empower others to lead.
What do you see is the biggest challenge facing Dallas right now? If you had the connections and resources to change that, what would you do?
I believe one of the biggest challenges facing Dallas is the growing wealth gap and the resulting disparities in housing, education, and equitable access to resources. If I had the connections and resources to change that, I would align efforts among local funders, government, and nonprofit leaders to solve root-cause issues through evidence-based, coordinated financial, programmatic, and educational support.
If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?
The movie would be called “Maybe Friendship Saves the World,” starring Anne Hathaway. My best friend in the film played by Aubrey Plaza, someone a little more carefree than me who pulls me into adventure. The story would take the viewer through the tale of an introvert finding herself intertwined in rich webs of social connections, all while trying to save the world together.
What is your favorite local restaurant or shop?
It’s too hard to choose a favorite restaurant because I love to eat, so I’ll share my favorite coffee shop instead: White Rock Coffee. It was one of the first places I tried after moving to the area almost 10 years ago, and it’s still one of my favorites. I love bringing out-of-town guests there for their unique flavors and consistently great coffee. My husband and I usually order their signature White Rocker for our walks along the Northaven or White Rock Trails.
What’s on your bucket list?
I am someone who plans the details of everyday life and travel, but I don’t keep a bucket list. I have found that rigid goals can sometimes limit openness to unexpected opportunities. Instead, I try to stay curious, flexible, and open to new experiences, places, and people when they cross my path.
What do you have in mind for after 40?
I hope to continue to make an impact in our community through my career, volunteer time, and the connections that I am building with other local changemakers.
Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
I shared with my husband that when I was a kid I dreamed of competing in the Olympics as a figure skater. In 2022, for my birthday, he surprised me with figure skating lessons. The best part was that he joined me for the lessons! We’ve been skating ever since. Maybe you’ll see us in the pairs ice dancing competition in 2030.
As an occasional side-gig, I work as a wedding planning assistant for Serendipity Events by Tina. It’s such a joy playing a small part in making sure that a couple’s wedding day goes smoothly and that they don’t have to worry about any of the details while they enjoy their time with friends and family celebrating.
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