Cathe Dykstra

Cathe Dykstra (She/Her/Hers)

Chief Possibility Officer, President & CEO of Family Scholar House and President & CEO of Family, Inc. 

As the Chief Possibility Officer, President and CEO of Family Scholar House (FSH), Cathe is committed to promoting the importance of education as an asset that appreciates and provides long-term self-sufficiency through career-track employment. Cathe sees her role as changing the paradigm for work with low-income individuals and families from short-term support to long-term solutions.
Under her leadership, the organization broadened its mission, and expanded programs that now serve over 72,000 households across 34 states. Cathe championed FSH’s geographic expansion locally, regionally, and nationally and led construction of five campuses in Louisville to provide affordable housing for low-income families.
Among notable recognition, FSH was awarded a 2020 national Rise Prize for work with student parents. Cathe received a Doctor of Public Service honoris causa from Spalding University and is a previous recipient of the Dr. Mary K. Bonsteel Tachau Gender Equity Award from the University of Louisville’s Women Center. She has served as an advisor for Ascend and on Transition Teams for Governor Beshear and Mayor Greenberg. Cathe serves as Board Chair for the combined Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) and the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC) as well as other corporate and nonprofit Boards of Directors.