Hello!
I ‘m Kayti, principal at Boreal Collaborative.
At Boreal, the work is resilient by nature and collaborative by design. I partner with nonprofits and their leaders, predominantly in the arts, culture, and community building sectors, to meet organizations exactly where they are and co-create a future that reflects their mission and values.
Much of this work happens in moments of uncertainty: navigating change, addressing long standing challenges, or making some of the toughest decisions in an organization’s life. I bring the full strength of my personal and professional integrity to those conversations, offering honest, thoughtful, and as-unbiased-as-possible guidance. What organizations need most in these moments is well-considered truth paired with values driven, actionable solutions.
My approach is hands-on, collaborative, and action oriented, rooted in deep respect for mission-driven work and a belief in shared problem-solving. The trickiest puzzles and scariest moments call for trust, focus, and camaraderie. I believe we navigate them best when the mission leads and when we do the work together.
Commitment to Social and Racial Justice
As a champion of mission driven organizations, I root my practice in the values of racial equity and social justice. I am committed to reflecting these values in all of my work and daily life. I recognize that systemic inequities rooted in racism, colonialism, classism, ableism, and other forms of oppression shape the nonprofit and arts sectors as much as they shape our broader society. My role is not only to support organizations in navigating the road ahead, but also to leverage my skills and knowledge to help dismantle barriers, ground solutions in values, and open access. I acknowledge that racial and social justice work requires humility and continual learning and unlearning. And, that my practice must evolve in response to community wisdom and shifting contexts.
Selected Clients & Partners
I have been honored to work with a wide range of organizations and leaders at key moments. The organizations listed represent a selection of current and past clients across my practice at Boreal and prior consulting work.
Many engagements involve sensitive or transitional work; some client relationships are intentionally not listed.
Arts & Culture
Seattle Public Theater
ArtsWest
PHAME
Early Music Seattle
Sustainable Music Project
Performer’s Forge
Community & Belonging
Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center
Game to Grow
Bio
Kayti Barnett (she/her) is an experienced and forward-thinking consultant with more than 15 years of leadership in nonprofit arts, cultural, and community building organizations. She partners closely with mission-driven organizations and creative leaders navigating growth, transition, or reinvention.
Kayti takes a collaborative, hands-on approach to strengthening organizational capacity and reimagining futures. Recognized for her calm, grounded presence and roll-up-your-sleeves approach, Kayti helps organizations untangle complexity and move through change with clarity and purpose. She works side by side with leaders, boards, and teams to co-create solutions that are both strategic and practical for their organization, connecting the dots between big-picture vision and day-to-day realities. Her holistic practice spans executive interim management, thought-partnership for leaders, financial and operational strategy, and governance.
Kayti has extensive leadership experience in the arts, culture, and community building sectors. Prior to consulting, Kayti served as the managing director of multiple Seattle area arts organizations. As a leader, consultant, and interim leader, she has worked with a wide range of nonprofit organizations from start-up to legacy, first year budgets to multi-millions. She has served on or worked with over a dozen boards and partnered with 150+ board members.
This environment taught me a lot about resilience. Just like that vast forest, nonprofits knit our communities together providing beauty, connection points, sustenance, and safe haven. And they are up against very difficult odds requiring incredible adaptability and creativity. Organizations have life cycles and evolving roles they play in their communities. My passion is meeting organizations at some of their most pivotal moments and helping them chart what comes next.
Why “boreal”?
I grew up where the boreal forest meets the sea in south-central Alaska. To me, the boreal forest is a wonderful analogy for mission-driven organizations and especially those in transition. It is remarkably diverse- home to a vast array of animal and plant life from old growth taiga to ferns and delicate undergrowth. It is a region of intricate interdependance and one that has adapted to the harsh conditions of unforgiving winters, permafrost, and nutrient sparse soil.