5 Minutes with Katharine Amaral
Authored by half full, llc
We’re so excited for our latest “5 Minutes With” piece, a recurring blog series in which we grab a few minutes with our core team — the individuals who power our vision, mission, and values — so that you can get each person better.
Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Katharine Amaral, who recently joined as our Program Manager! Katharine will be managing so many critical pieces of the experiences we provide at half full, llc, especially when it comes to the Rhode Island Teen Institute, a five-day overnight leadership training for high-school aged RI youth taking place every summer.
Get the chance to know Katharine below and, when you’re done, feel free to connect with her here!
Katharine, welcome to the half full, llc, team! To kick things off, we'd love to bring our readers a bit into your world. Your career has sat at the intersection of workforce development, public-private partnerships, and systems change. That passion has led you to your years of teaching Social Studies in Providence and Pawtucket, RI, schools to serving as the Director of Programs Community Partnership for Junior Achievement and now at half full, llc, as our Program Manager. Tell our readers about what has inspired your career and a bit about your governing WHY.
I’ve been fortunate to have a career that has crossed several fields, including education, workforce development, and community engagement. Along the way, I’ve taught social studies, led statewide initiatives, built partnerships across sectors, and worked with organizations committed to creating opportunities for others. Those experiences have reinforced something I’ve always believed: people do their best work when they feel connected, supported, and seen.
Community involvement has always been a big part of my life. I went to college planning to pursue public policy and studied Political Science and History, hoping to make a difference on a larger scale. Over time, I realized that some of the most lasting change happens through education. Education lays the groundwork for strong communities, civic engagement, and a healthy democracy. That belief led me into teaching and eventually back to community-focused work, where I could help create opportunities for others to learn, connect, and lead.
In your role as Program Manager, you’ve already begun a critical part in driving the continued success and impact of the Rhode Island Teen Institute program (which we just wrapped up this August!), supporting our mission of cultivating unbreakable client relationships, and assisting with program coordination and execution, among other elements. What attracted you to this role and how do you describe your charter ahead?
What attracted me to half full, llc, was the opportunity to do meaningful work alongside great people. Throughout my career, I’ve enjoyed roles where I can connect the dots, build relationships, and help turn ideas into action, and this role brings all of that together.
This summer, that has meant supporting the Rhode Island Teen Institute and helping create a great experience for everyone involved.
What stuck out most was seeing the cooperation and collaboration among the youth participants as they challenged themselves throughout the week. Especially during the ropes course, they were incredibly supportive of one another, cheering each other on and celebrating their accomplishments. It was great to watch them build confidence in real time, while also encouraging their peers to step outside their comfort zones. That sense of teamwork and support was one of my favorite parts of Teen Institute.
Beyond that, I’m excited to take on new projects across the organization and by bringing organization, problem-solving, and collaboration to whatever comes next. My focus is to help good people to do great work and leave every project a little better than I found it.
What really affirmed my decision was realizing very quickly that no two days are the same. One day I’m working on spreadsheets, the next I’m leading a workshop, and the next I’m at the zoo (no joke). That variety keeps me on my toes and makes me excited to see what each day will bring.
As a former educator and someone who has deep expertise in partnering with the youth to promote high-quality work-based learning and career-connected experiences, in what ways do you think our youth need our support, perhaps more than ever before?
I think young people need more opportunities to exercise agency and realize they can have a meaningful impact on the world around them. When we give them real responsibility, invite them into the conversation, and trust them to lead, they tend to surprise us.
They also need opportunities to try new things and take risks in environments where it’s okay to fail. At the end of the day, everyone wants to know they matter and have something valuable to contribute. Programs like Teen Institute help young people discover that they can make a difference, not someday, but right now, in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
You are incredibly talented at brokering important community partnerships, eradicating silos, and advancing complex issues through decisive execution. Which of your strengths do you attribute most to that? Connected to that, what complex issues in our workplace do you feel most passionate to solve for in the near term?
I think one of my strengths is that I’m naturally curious about people. I enjoy hearing their stories, understanding what matters to them, and finding the places where interests overlap. Most of the partnership work I’ve done hasn’t really been about the programs or projects, it’s been about relationships. When people feel heard and valued, they’re much more willing to work together to solve hard problems.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about working with half full, llc, to expand our impact, whether that’s with young people, business partners, or the communities we serve. We live in a world that’s increasingly connected, but connection isn’t always the same as community. I think our work is at its best when it creates opportunities for people to engage with one another in meaningful ways and recognize the value they each bring to the table.
Final question...which half full, llc, value most resonates with you and why?
For me, it’s listening to understand. I’ve learned that people are usually pretty good at telling you what they need if you’re willing to listen. Whether it’s a student, colleague, or community partner, I try to approach every conversation with curiosity rather than assumptions. In my experience, curiosity paired with listening is key to building trust and meaningful relationships.
Catch up on our other 5 Minutes With profiles here!