Catherine Van began her career in broadcast journalism, a path she’d long dreamed about. When the nonstop news cycle took a toll, she pivoted into nonprofit and corporate communications, bringing her commitment to storytelling and social justice.
Years later, after returning from maternity leave at another organization, Catherine faced an unexpected layoff. By leaning on her network and reframing her skills, she found her way into equity work and now leads diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives at Oregon Community Foundation. Here’s her story.
What do you do for a career? Who do you work for?
I currently lead equity initiatives for the Oregon Community Foundation, the largest private funder and charitable foundation in the state. In this role, I help shape and advance the foundation’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts across Oregon, embedding equity into our grantmaking, partnerships, and community engagement work.
What do you like best about your career?
I’ve had a pretty unconventional career path, something I once saw as a weakness but have come to realize is my greatest strength. Every step has been guided by my values of social justice and storytelling, using connection and shared understanding to bridge differences and bring people together. I’ve always been driven by people-centered work and the opportunity to make real, lasting change in systems that have historically left marginalized communities behind. It’s both hard and heart work, and that’s what makes it meaningful.
What resources have helped you in your career and your job searches? Are there specific tools or tactics that have contributed to your success?
Tapping into my personal and professional networks has been critical to moving my career forward. I’ve always been resourceful and a bit scrappy, so I make the most of every tool available. That meant actively networking, reconnecting with contacts, reaching out to people on LinkedIn who worked at companies I’m interested in, keeping a close eye on all the job boards, and asking for honest feedback from recruiters, interviewers, career coaches, and friends.
I’ve asked for input on everything, including my résumé, cover letters, interview prep, and even jobs I didn’t land. It’s been a lot of work, but each step has taught me something new and brought me closer to opportunities that really fit my skills and passions.
Throughout your career, what obstacles have you encountered when doing a job search, and how did you overcome them?
Career Pivot
For nearly a decade, I worked in broadcast journalism, a career I’d dreamed about for as long as I could remember and one I pursued throughout my education. But toward the end of my time in television news, the constant grind started taking a toll on my mental health, and I knew it was time for a change.
My passion for helping marginalized voices be heard drove me into nonprofit work, where I could make a deeper impact and take a more hands-on approach to helping communities. I realized a lot of my journalism skills, like storytelling, communication, and connecting with diverse audiences, were incredibly transferable. Once I figured out how to translate those strengths on paper, I leaned into them and started a new path in corporate communications.
I went from having a front-row seat to history to becoming part of the story, shaping narratives that move communities forward. I wanted to understand how decisions are made, who gets to make them, and how those choices can be more equitable and inclusive. From asking leaders the tough questions to helping them answer them, I now help guide conversations that lead to more thoughtful and inclusive decisions.
Unexpected Job Loss
When I returned from maternity leave at my former employer, I found out my department had been cut, leaving me without a job or health insurance for my growing family. Getting laid off during such a fragile and vulnerable time in my life as a new mother was incredibly stressful, but once I gave myself space to process it, I knew I had to move forward and start rebuilding.
It became one of the most humbling and growth-filled pivots of my life. I leaned on my network, connected with recruiters, volunteered more, and gave myself plenty of grace along the way. That process pushed me to explore a new and fulfilling career path in equity work.
What piece of advice would you give to job seekers or professionals trying to advance in their careers?
Don’t be afraid to change career paths. Sometimes the job you once saw as your dream or endgame turns out to be just one chapter in your story—and that’s okay! Change can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity to rediscover what really motivates you. Your career doesn’t define your worth, nor is it your identity. It took me a long time to remember that.
You are so much more than your job title or résumé. Give yourself permission to evolve, explore new directions, and lean into the skills and passions that shaped who you are. Growth starts right outside your comfort zone.
Everyone’s job search story is different, but each individual story can inspire and empower others who are on their own unique path. We love to hear how our readers have found rewarding careers in Portland, and we want to share these stories with you to inspire you in your job search and to help us all better understand the local job market.
