keynote speaker for Community Engagement

Catherine Huckaby is the Executive Director and Founder of Community Positive. She doesn't just study community engagement; she documents the heartbeat of it, having conducted hundreds of interviews with city managers, civic leaders, and volunteers across the United States and Canada,

Catherine possesses a unique, ground-level perspective on what makes communities and organizations thrive.

She combines data-driven strategy with the human stories that drive connection, helping organizations foster cultures of ownership, resilience, and authentic service.

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Let's Build a Culture of Ownership and Resilience

Recruitment is hard. Retention is harder. But great communities, municipalities and nonprofits aren't built on blueprints. They are built by people who decide to turn "someone should" into "I will."

In my sessions, I cut through the noise to share the unpolished, authentic success stories of the leaders and neighbors who are quietly transforming our cities.

My goal is simple: to remind your audience that public service is a high-impact calling, not just a job.

Signature Speaking Topics

1. Passing the Torch: Mentorship, Legacy, and the Courage to Step Back

We talk about recruiting the next generation, but we rarely talk about making space for them. This session addresses the urgency of intentional mentorship and the difficult, but necessary leadership skill of knowing when, and how, to hand over the reins to keep the mission alive.

2. The "I Will" Factor:

Transforming Community Apathy into Action Apathy is the enemy of progress. Drawing on real-world examples from the frontlines of local government, This session breaks down the mindset shift required to move staff and citizens from passive observation to active building.

3. Counter the Noise: Rediscovering the "Why" in Public Service

In an era of public scrutiny and digital noise, it is easy to lose sight of the mission. This session is a reset button for resilient leadership, offering strategies to protect your peace, celebrate small wins, and remember why this calling matters.

Let's Build a Culture of Ownership and Resilience

​Recruitment is hard. Retention is harder. But great communities, municipalities and nonprofits aren't built on blueprints. They are built by people who decide to turn "someone should" into "I will."

Recruitment is hard. Retention is harder. But great communities, municipalities and nonprofits aren't built on blueprints. They are built by people who decide to turn "someone should" into "I will."