Get to Know Kate Khaled!

Kate Khaled joined the Charities Review Council last month as the Engagement and Development Manager. Her primary duties include building relationships with constituents while overseeing the Council's fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies.

1. How did you end up in Minnesota?

I grew up in Montreal, Quebec, but spent my childhood summers up north near Grand Rapids, Minnesota where my grandparents have a summer home. I’m the daughter of two of Roseville’s cutest high school sweethearts, so all of my holidays and vacations were spent here with our extended family. When it came time for me to think about graduate school, the University of Minnesota appealed to me because it was a great program, new and also familiar. In my second year pursuing my Masters of Public Health, I met my own sweetheart, Taqee. He ‘put a ring on it,’ and the rest is history. I love this state and I couldn't be happier to be building my career and raising my children here.

2. What about working at the Charities Review Council attracted you to the job?

The Charities Review Council is a unique resource that adds an incredible amount of value to our nonprofit and philanthropic landscape. It’s an organization with a rich history that also has an eye toward the future. This role attracted me because our team is poised to grow into an even stronger, farther-reaching, innovative ally for nonprofits and donors alike. I’m also really excited to be working with Kris Kewitsch, our new Executive Director. She has great ideas and a strategic mind. Our team has so much energy, and I’m excited to help the Council connect with the community even more than we already do!

3. Tell us 3 unexpected things about yourself: 
Well, you probably wouldn’t guess this by looking at me, but I’m a proud and active member of the Twin Cities Muslim community. Also, since I’m married to a second generation Bangladeshi-American, my culinary repertoire has expanded tremendously. I make a mean chicken korma. What else? I’ve been an outdoor enthusiast all my life. I took my first ten day wood-canvas canoe trip when I was twelve, and have been hooked ever since. In college, I spent my summers teaching paddling techniques and leading sea kayaking trips in the Apostle Islands. Despite being raised in Montreal, I suppose my love of paddling and portaging makes me a Minnesotan to the core.

4. What do you like to read?
I read the Harvard Business Review blog every day to get my daily shot of professional inspiration. In my spare time I blog about family at Perpetually Nesting, so I read many of my friends’ nationally recognized parenting and lifestyle blogs. There are a lot of terribly talented writers online who come from Minnesota. Oh! Let’s also not forget Minnesota Rising and Pollen – two of our homegrown resources for civic connectivity. I read (and tweet!) a lot.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Turkey, Malaysia and New Zealand. Since our life has been so busy, we haven’t had a honeymoon yet. That combination, over a 6 week span of time, would be my dream travel itinerary.

6. What’s your favorite restaurant of all time?
I love Little Szechuan’s authentic menu – their Chung King Chili Shrimp is amazing. I also am a huge fan of Cecil’s Deli. When scheduling lunch meetings, I usually try to persuade people to meet me at Cecil’s!

7. Name 3 of your passions/hobbies.

As a social media native and technology enthusiast, I’m continually exploring creative ways disruptive technology (like social media) can be leveraged for good. Most of my time at home is spent cooking and entertaining. When I’m not hosting brunch for family and friends, I’m usually writing, playing with my boys or restoring mid-century furniture in our garage.