2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Catrina has been recognized as a 40 Under 40 winner for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to philanthropy throughout her career at Dignity Health. With over a decade dedicated to fundraising, Catrina's achievements include managing a $25 million comprehensive campaign, pioneering a Vaccine Pod during the pandemic that administered over 200,000 shots, and securing $126,000 in support for the initiative. Her strategic use of technology in fundraising, evidenced by a remarkable 70% open rate, reflects her innovative approach. Beyond fundraising, Catrina prioritizes employee engagement and community support, evident in initiatives like the Healing Hour Club and the Heaven's HumingBirds Infant Bereavement support group, which have significantly impacted employee morale and community outreach.

My graduate studies included a focus on nonprofit leadership and management, sparking fascination with the critical mission-driven work of nonprofits. As I began my nonprofit career, I quickly learned the vital role fundraising plays in powering these organizations and their programs. During my Master's in Social Work program, I had the privilege of shadowing various Dignity Health East Valley departments. This experience deepened my connection to the organization and its mission. I was determined to find a role where I could make a meaningful impact.

My initial roles in nonprofit organizations centered around volunteer management and community outreach. While I had hoped to find a position within the hospital's volunteer services, community outreach, or social work team, I discovered an even better fit with the hospital foundation. This role allows me to support every area of the hospital, ensuring our programs and the people we serve receive the necessary community backing.

In essence, my journey into healthcare philanthropy was guided by a passion for the nonprofit sector, a commitment to making a difference, and a desire to support the broader mission of organizations in my own backyard, like Dignity Health.

I chose healthcare philanthropy as my career because it’s a field where I am constantly learning and evolving. With technology and healthcare constantly evolving, I'm excited about the potential to create new programs that can really help our rapidly growing community in the East Valley. 

I love that my job challenges me to keep learning and growing. Over the past decade, I've had so many opportunities to develop new skills and make a real difference in people's lives through philanthropy. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that what I do every day contributes to improving healthcare and making a positive difference in our community.

A major turning point in my career journey was when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I was knee-deep in event management, used to working off timelines and deadlines. Suddenly, with events on hold, I had to switch gears and focus on immediate community needs. It was a time of uncertainty, but also a chance to connect with our community in new ways.

I found myself answering every call and email and building partnerships with people in the community to support the greatest needs of our hospitals. This shift not only kept me busy but also opened up new avenues in my career. While I still manage a few key events that maintain crucial donor relationships, since the pandemic, I have branched out into the space of annual giving, communications, and legacy giving projects.

The impact of legacy giving really hit home in 2021 when we received our first legacy gift since I joined the team in 2014. It was a game-changer for our organization, and we ended up receiving three more significant gifts in subsequent years. Seeing how these donations could transform our work and literally changing hospital care was eye-opening.

Then, tragically, I lost both of my grandparents. I always knew they were involved in nonprofits, but it wasn't until their passing that I realized the extent of their impact in the legacy giving and endowment building space across the entire state of Arizona. It was a powerful moment of reflection for me, connecting their work to my own journey in nonprofits.

Inspired by their legacy, I've decided to pursue the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation. I want to learn how to engage donors in meaningful conversations about planned giving, just like my grandparents did. It's a way for me to carry on their legacy and make a real difference in our community.

This whole journey has been about adapting and learning, and it's reaffirmed my passion for using philanthropy to create positive change.

Personally, my greatest passion is creating family memories that bring my daughter joy while introducing her to new experiences. Professionally, my greatest passion is empowering our hospital's dedicated employees to achieve their vision for patient care through the power of philanthropy. I'm deeply inspired by our clinical teams who pour their hearts into their work, and I'm committed to supporting their ambitious goals. What I love most about our hospitals is how our staff embrace the patients and families they serve, always striving to do more. From providing year-round support to grieving families to creating innovative post-stroke programs, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this transformative work.

My advice to someone new to healthcare philanthropy is to be nimble. This field moves quickly, and there are endless opportunities to learn and grow. Embrace new challenges as they arise–they're your chance to make a real impact. Also, invest time in building internal relationships. Knowing who to turn to for answers and who will champion your vision is key to success in healthcare philanthropy.