Katelyn Mattson
Summary
Versatile professional and community leader with a mix of skills spanning program management, strategic communications, public affairs, community relations, and storytelling. Empathetic and community-minded, with high emotional intelligence and a proven ability to foster strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and audiences. Experience includes leadership roles and board seats with nonprofits and community organizations dedicated to improving lives. Tenacious problem solver seeking impactful roles with mission-driven teams delivering change.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Classical Music Director
Radio Kansas Network
01.2017 - 10.2025
- Produced and hosted 17 hours of weekly broadcast programming.
- Developed and curated programming to increase audience engagement by 20%.
- Served as primary public voice for station through interviews, events, donor engagements, and commentary.
- Conducted interviews with artists and civic leaders; developed questions and ensured editorial accuracy.
- Built partnerships with local arts organizations to expand community visibility.
- Edited broadcast content for clarity, tone, and alignment with strategic messaging.
Conductor and Facilitator
Hutchinson Correctional Facility
Hutchinson, KS
01.2024 - Current
- Direct rehabilitative choral program for incarcerated individuals, enhancing personal growth and teamwork.
- Navigate complex institutional systems with correctional leadership and staff to ensure safety and compliance.
- Enhance rehabilitative outcomes by developing communication skills, confidence, and self-regulation via arts-based learning.
President
Rice County Arts Council
, Kansas
01.2017 - Current
- Lead strategy and execution for the Prairie Art Exhibition, an annual juried art show in its 52nd year that attracts artists from across the state.
- Responsibilities include event strategy and planning, design of entry forms, artist communications, press relations, and hosting of the closing reception.
- Oversee budgets in collaboration with a Treasurer, manage external funding partnerships with public agencies, and private donors, and lead the pursuit of grants.
- Guide the communications strategy and execution. Author newsletters and promotional materials to showcase program impact and enhance awareness.
Chair
Democratic Committee of Rice County
, Kansas
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Led efforts to relaunch a dormant Democratic Committee to establish a party presence in a historically conservative region.
- Served as a spokesperson for local and regional press, created outreach materials, and wrote talking points for civic initiatives and electoral campaigns.
- Led event strategy, planning, and execution for several Democratic Party firsts in the region, including candidate meet-and-greets, party presence at community events, voter registration drives, etc.
- Organized and moderated a nonpartisan school board candidate forum to promote transparency and informed voting.
- Fostered bipartisan communication with local GOP and civic leaders to enhance community dialogue.
Performing Arts Director
John Knox Village
Lee's Summit, MO
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed performing arts program for over 1,000 retirement community residents.
- Formed and led diverse performance groups, including choirs, drum circles, and theater.
- Built coalitions between residents, artists, and organizations to promote lifelong learning.
- Developed messaging that highlighted program outcomes and public benefits.
Education
Artist Diploma: Opera -
University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music
Master of Music -
University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance
Bachelor of Music -
Wichita State University
Skills
- Strategic communications and coalition building
- Creative writing and storytelling
- Media relations and public affairs
- Community engagement
- Public relations management
- Team leadership
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Editorial judgment
- Interview preparation and delivery
- Content writing and editing
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Canva and CapCut
- Zoom and Google Meet
- Data entry and organization
- Social media management
Affiliations
Published a book of poetry “Notes from Beulah” in 2024
Timeline
Conductor and Facilitator
Hutchinson Correctional Facility
01.2024 - Current
Chair
Democratic Committee of Rice County
01.2022 - 01.2025
Classical Music Director
Radio Kansas Network
01.2017 - 10.2025
President
Rice County Arts Council
01.2017 - Current
Performing Arts Director
John Knox Village
01.2011 - 01.2013
Artist Diploma: Opera -
University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music
Master of Music -
University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance
Bachelor of Music -
Wichita State University