Katherine Gold, the chair-elect of Rose Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, began her years of volunteer involvement as a member of the Foundation’s Education Committee.

The time she spent on that committee, which seeks to eliminate the achievement gap and to achieve equitable opportunities for all children in the K – 12 public education system, helped her understand the critical role of early childhood education in students’ success. She later served on the Child and Family Development Committee, which works to support healthy development for children from birth to age 5. It was there that, she feels like she found her true passion. “My work on the Child and Family Development Committee tapped into my passion of early childhood development and the wrap-around support services our children need so that they can excel in a healthy and safe environment,” says Gold.

Gold said she has learned a great deal from the Child and Family Development committee about why a multi-generational approach to improving the environment for young children is important. “I found all of the issues around early childhood fascinating,” she says. “I feel like in terms of interest, I’ve found my home.”

As the president and CEO of Goldbug, a company that makes accessories for young children, Gold says she has very little spare time, so chooses her volunteer commitments carefully. “Rose Community Foundation is so special,” she says. “I feel very fortunate to serve and to work with the staff.” When asked what advice she’d give a young leader seeking his or her philanthropic niche, she encourages having broad interests and a curious spirit. “If you have a focus or area of passion,” she says, “learn all the dimensions of it and then go deeper.”