Our Staff

Katarina Flathau has a rich background in serving immigrant & refugee communities, community relations, small business support, fundraising, and civic engagement. Prior to helping create the Kindness Collective and becoming the Executive Director, she served as the regional community relations manager at Huntington Bank for Wayne County. In this role, she drove initiatives that empowered minority communities through community organizing and championing for DEI initiatives.

Katarina serves as a consultant for Huntington Bank. She oversees the bank’s scholarship programs that provide scholarships to high school seniors attending college or trade school and also serves as a resource to students and schools. The scholarship programs serve minority communities in Southeast Michigan whose programs have provided over $2 million in scholarships to high school seniors to attend college.

Prior to her role at Huntington, Katarina oversaw the TCF Bank Foundation, a $10 million foundation that served the bank’s multi-state footprint. She oversaw multiple volunteer committees to ensure the bank’s communities were continuing to be uplifted and their needs met.

Katarina is a first generation Chaldean American. Her family fled Iraq and overcame many hardships to build a better life. Katarina has experienced firsthand the power of perseverance. Her family’s resilience in the face of adversity has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the immigrant experience and a steadfast determination to honor their sacrifices and empower other communities.