Connections for Children (CFC) presents the Iao Katagiri Community Impact Award at The Betsy Awards, a recognition that carries both history and heart. The award honors the memory of Iao Katagiri, a beloved community leader and long-time member of the CFC Board, whose vision and dedication continue to shape the agency today.
For 11 years, Iao served on the Connections for Children Board, leaving behind an impact that continues to guide the organization and the families it supports. She joined in 2010 and over the next decade held leadership roles including Board President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, and Fund Development Chair. At every turn, she was recognized for her leadership, her tireless advocacy for early care and education, and her ability to bring people together around a shared vision of equity and opportunity.
Her influence was felt most clearly in moments of change. When CFC relocated from its long-time headquarters in Santa Monica to Westchester, Iao guided the transition with foresight, ensuring the move strengthened the agency’s sustainability while opening access to more families across its service area. She also chaired the search committee that brought CEO Jennifer Cowan to the organization, helping to secure leadership that would guide CFC into its next chapter. Beyond these pivotal milestones, she helped conceive of The Betsy Awards, a celebration that honors early childhood champions while raising critical funds to support CFC’s mission.
While her work with CFC was profound, Iao’s influence touched the broader Santa Monica community in lasting ways. During her more than four decades at the RAND Corporation, she spearheaded initiatives that connected research to real community needs, securing millions of dollars to advance housing, health care, and justice. Beyond RAND, she was a steadfast advocate for policies and programs that expanded access to lifelong learning and educational opportunities. Her leadership was instrumental in strengthening early learning and care across Santa Monica, inspiring CFC Board members and community partners alike.
Iao passed away in April 2022, leaving a ripple of loss through the community that inspired lasting change in its wake. Today, Iao’s legacy lives on through the Iao Katagiri Fund at the Santa Monica College Foundation, providing tuition assistance for children enrolled in the Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.
At CFC, we remember and celebrate Iao through the Iao Katagiri Community Impact Award, which recognizes individuals or organizations who exemplify Iao’s exceptional ability to inspire others to champion programs, policies, and partnerships that promote equitable access to high quality early care and learning. We hope that you will join us in celebrating the legacy of a beloved friend, colleague, and mentor by recognizing local changemakers receiving the Iao Katagiri Community Impact Award at our 50th Anniversary Betsy Awards on May 6, 2025.
