Hello!
I ‘m Kayti, principal at Boreal Collaborative.
The work at Boreal is resillient by nature and collaborative by design. I approach all client work as a partnership, starting exactly where you are and co-creating a future unique to each organization. When appropriate, I bring in collaborators to support client work where additional top-tier expertise is needed.
To tackle the types of challenges I face with client leaders and organizations, it is imperative that I bring to bear the full strength of my personal and professional integrity. Often difficult topics are discussed, some of the toughest decisions in the life of an organization are made, and those challenging moments bring a wide range of emotions with them. I am a partner in that journey, in service to the people and vision within an organization, and will remain honest and as unbiased as possible in my recommendations. What we need most in difficult times is some well considered truth and values driven actionable solutions.
My approach is hands-on, collaborative, and action oriented infused with deep appreciation for mission-driven work and some healthy irreverence. The trickiest puzzles and scariest moments require trust, focus, and camaraderie. I believe we navigate these challenges best when the mission leads and we find our way through 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 aknowledge 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. I believe deeply that to serve and nurture a community, we must understand those who are within it, the systems and histories that shaped it and continue to effect it, and what that community dreams of becoming.
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.