Kathryn Welch, Executive Administrator and Regional Director of Health and Wellness, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Auburn Gresham. I spent the first 13 years of my life there before my family moved to Greater Grand Crossing, which is near 79th and Cottage Grove. As an adult, I lived in Chatham, then eventually moved out to the south suburbs. But my roots are in Auburn Gresham, just about a mile away from where I work today. I grew up on 87th and Hermitage, in a bungalow. It was a close-knit community—families knew everyone, people looked out for each other. Moving at 13 was a big change for me.

How did you get involved with Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation? 

I worked next door to GAGDC for 20 years and watched the organization grow. I remember seeing [GAGDC CEO] Carlos [Nelson] on my first day at work. He was the staff of one, working in 930 square feet. Over the years, I saw GAGDC expand, not just in size but in its programming and community connections, both within Auburn Gresham and beyond. I officially joined the team in January 2023, so I’m about to start my third year. Carlos knew I was passionate about bioethics and health. I’m now the Executive Administrator and also serve as the Health and Wellness Pillar Leader, which has been a great opportunity for me to deepen my interest in health issues, especially through programs like C3EN’s CSAC.

Were you working in health-related fields before?

Before joining GAGDC, I worked as a district director for an Illinois state senator. I worked there for 20 years. Health wasn’t the senator’s main focus, but there were definitely health-related initiatives, like supporting maternal and infant care and issues around nursing home care. I got some exposure to health policy, especially related to community health. My role involved everything from doing research for legislation to helping constituents with inquiries, whether they were about the Illinois Department of Public Health or other state agencies.

I’ve been interested in health for a long time. In college, I initially wanted to be a doctor. When I took a philosophy elective, I found myself drawn to bioethics. That was when I first learned about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study [a study of the effects of untreated syphilis in African American men who were not informed about or treated for the disease], which shocked me. Learning about how the study lasted for 40 years and how the people who were affected had no idea, it really stuck with me. That moment made me want to advocate for vulnerable communities and ensure they wouldn’t be taken advantage of.

I studied bioethics in college, attended a bioethics course at Georgetown, and later took some courses on socialized medicine in Europe. Though my career took me in different directions—banking, quality analysis, training, and customer service—I’ve never lost my passion for health. My career has also given me tools that are relevant to my work now, especially in terms of understanding the legislative process and how to navigate the system. Carlos recognized my passion and gave me the opportunity to join GAGDC, where I’ve been able to work closely on health-related issues in the community.

My career has always been rooted in service. Whether it was customer service or working with constituents, I learned to listen and understand people’s needs. That’s been invaluable for my role at GAGDC because now I’m doing the same thing—helping people navigate healthcare, but in a way that connects them to the right opportunities or resources. I also think my experience working with legislation has helped me understand how to advocate for policies that will have a direct impact on the community.

Working with the CSAC has given me a chance to fulfill some personal dreams. Even though I’ve had a career in other areas, this work really nourishes me. I’m seeing it from a different perspective now, being part of the community and understanding how researchers approach challenges. It’s incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited about continuing to work with the CSAC and grow within the organization. I’m also hoping to help the community understand how research can benefit them and how they can be involved in a positive way. It’s all about building trust, and through the CSAC, we’re providing a more equitable, collaborative approach to health research.

Is there a particular issue you’re passionate about in your community?

Yes, food access is a huge issue. Access to healthy food, food education, and understanding the difference between real food and food-like substances is something I care deeply about. We’re living in an age of ultra-processed foods, and many people don’t even realize what’s in the products they’re consuming. A lot of it’s misleading, marketed as healthy, but it’s actually filled with unhealthy ingredients. There’s a real need for education on what a healthy diet looks like and how to cook nutritious meals at home.

Food education is fundamental to addressing a number of chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. If we can help people make healthier food choices, we can prevent a lot of these diseases. It’s also linked to mental health—if we feel good physically, it can affect our mood and reduce the likelihood of things like violence or anger. Food plays a role in our overall health, and if we address it, we can make an impact on a range of issues in the community.

What are some other issues you’re hoping to resolve in your community right now?

Diabetes, mental health, and public safety are definitely top concerns. These are focus areas in the South Side of Chicago, especially in my region. But again, food access ties into all of them. If we address the underlying issue of food insecurity and improve education around nutrition, I believe we’ll see improvements in health outcomes across the board.

You recently received an award from the American Cancer Society. Can you tell me more about that?

Greater Auburn Gresham was recognized as a Health Equity Ambassador by the American Cancer Society. This recognition was part of a collaboration powered by Bank of America. The goal is to address health disparities in our community, particularly around breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. We’ve been working to encourage people to get screened for these cancers by setting up tables at health fairs or incorporating screening awareness into events we’re already hosting. It’s part of a larger collaboration with the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, all working together to improve health equity. It’s been a rewarding experience. There’s still so much work to be done, but every small step helps move us forward. We have a lot of dedicated people in this community, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Do you have a fun fact or surprising fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

I was a dancer in a Spike Lee movie. It was an incredible experience, one of the best moments of my life! Spike Lee is one of the most dedicated people I’ve ever worked with—he’s precise, excellent at what he does, and his work ethic is top-notch. Ruth Carter designed the costumes for that film, and she later won an Oscar for Black Panther. It was just a fantastic experience overall.