Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Woodling.
Catherine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a proud native Atlantan. After returning from the University of Arizona where I spent four great years, I’ve been closely aligned with the Atlanta civic and business community for nearly two decades.
I began my career working as the Media Relations Officer for Mayor Shirley Franklin. After three summers interning with her administration, she took a chance on me, a young political science major with thirst for knowledge and drive to make the city of Atlanta a better place for all families. As the youngest person to serve as Media Relations Officer, I was responsible for managing communications with national and local media, the business community and the general public on behalf of the city. It was a thrilling experience that put me on the front lines of the water and sewer overhaul, the Hurricane Katrina response, the effort to secure the Martin Luther King, Jr. papers, the BeltLine implementation process and the Atlanta tornado response, to name a few.
When Mayor Franklin termed out of office, I joined The Home Depot Foundation and was responsible for communications around the company’s corporate social responsibility and volunteer efforts. I later joined The Home Depot’s corporate communications team where I was responsible for HR communications and crisis management. It was an amazing experience working with some of the greatest corporate minds in the business. As many associates say, I still bleed orange.
In my current role with the East Lake Foundation as the Director of Communications and Marketing, I oversee the strategic communications and media relations for the East Lake Initiative, working primarily with the East Lake Foundation, Charles R. Drew Charter School and the East Lake Golf Club. In addition to traditional communications support for each organization, I especially enjoy working on communications around the TOUR Championship, held each year at East Lake Golf Club. This signature event is the East Lake Foundation’s largest fundraiser, contributing around $2 million in revenue for the Foundation each year and providing a platform to share the impact of the Foundation across the world.
In addition to professional careers in the public sector, corporate sector and nonprofit sector, I proudly serve as the president of the Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League and as the Vice Chair of the Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) – N.
I feel like I have the best job in the world and I am as happy as I’ve ever been. In my current position, I get to combine my passion for community development and revitalization with my communications profession and get paid for it.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While it’s been a mostly smooth road, it’s been a winding road with lots of incredible experiences. As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans.” That has certainly been my experience. My twenty-one year old self was set on going to law school after college like any good political science major. A chance opportunity with Mayor Shirley Franklin changed the course of my professional career and I am forever grateful.
Throughout all the twists and turns and sometimes long nights, my husband, family and friends have been my biggest advocates and source of support. I certainly wouldn’t be the person I am today without them.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the East Lake Foundation story. Tell us more about the business.
The East Lake Foundation was established in 1995 to revitalize the East Lake neighborhood, generate new opportunities for the families living there and create a vibrant community where all residents thrive.
The East Lake Foundation works with families who reside in The Villages of East Lake and students in the Charles R. Drew Charter School education pipeline to reach their highest potential. We do this through a holistic approach to community revitalization that incorporates high-quality mixed-income housing, cradle-to-college education, and community wellness.
The Foundation has proven that working with residents and public and private partners, while providing the right combination of comprehensive programs and services, is transformative for the community.
The success of the East Lake Initiative has served as a blueprint for a national model of holistic community revitalization through our sister organization, Purpose Built Communities, established in 2009. Together, in partnership with communities across the country, we are working to end urban poverty in America.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’m driven, passionate and resilient. I also think, I have a strong cultural and societal awareness.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2606 Alston Drive, SE, Atlanta, GA 30317
- Website: www.eastlakefoundation.org
- Phone: 404-373-4351
- Email: cwoodling@eastlakefoundation.org
- Instagram: @eastlakefound
- Facebook: facebook.com/eastlakefoundation
- Twitter: @eastlakefound
- Other: linkedin.com/company/east-lake-foundation
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