Catherine A. Parrish, IWL Senior Faculty, founded NextLevel Leadership, Inc. in 1999 out of her commitment to assist individuals, teams, and organizations in “playing their best game” for the sake of a world that works for everyone. Her clients come from diverse sectors and backgrounds.
Her firsthand experience as a leader in the humanitarian sector working throughout the globe convinced her that the empowerment of individuals, especially women, is the key to the transformation of the condition of life for all.
Catherine served as the CEO of the Hunger Project US and as the international executive director of PRASAD (Philanthropic Relief, Altruistic Service and Development) for over two decades. She has provided guidance, training, and consulting to the leaders and staffs of hundreds of companies, universities, not-for-profits, and foundations, as well as the U.N. Development Program.
Catherine’s areas of specialty include conflict resolution, leadership coaching, mediation, and thought-partnership. She serves on the board of the Pachamama Alliance, and on the advisory boards of the Soul of Money Institute and the Turning Tide Coalition.
She holds degrees in history, psychology, and education from the University of California at Berkeley. In addition, Catherine earned her Maitrise at l’Université de Paris. Catherine played basketball and tennis on Cal’s Women’s Teams and then for two years on the women’s professional tennis circuit before returning to graduate school.
Catherine lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, Bill. Their daughter, Suzanne, is a law student.
