As a community and economic development educator, Kathie Brown works with community leaders, government officials, volunteer groups, small business owners, and others to help communities become stronger and more economically viable. She focuses on leadership and organizational development; local government education and relations; economic development strategies; participatory community planning/visioning processes; group process facilitation; collaboration and partnership building; public issue education; and understanding, using and developing data.

Brown works with organizations and local governments to help them: (1) analyze and understand their needs, (2) identify alternative courses of action, (3) make informed decisions, (4) plan for the future and (5) evaluate their development efforts.

Previous Experience

Kathie has worked for Extension for almost 40 years, contributing to programs related to community health, digital literacy, STEAM education, and more.

Areas of Expertise

This position focuses on the core skill areas of strategic planning, community leadership skills, data for decision making, needs assessment and collaboration. Programmatic areas are leadership development, education for economic development, public policy education and data/information and referral services.

Recent Media Coverage

• Project helps Delavan with big ideas to boost its community
• Grocery gap in Peoria brings out concerned residents and leaders to discuss solutions
• Illini Bluffs Teacher Participates in Teacher Tuesdays
• Team GP Spotlight: Kathie Brown
• Extension staff and partners provide critical support to assist restaurants to reopen

Learn More

• Filling the Grocery Gap in Peoria
• What I Do and Why It Matters: Kathie Brown