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Wednesday, July 6, 2011
6 Minutes With a CEO
Rita Catalano
Executive Director
Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media
- What was the biggest challenge you faced when the Fred Rogers Center transitioned to your leadership from the previous Executive Director?
Although I've played an important role in program planning and management of the Rogers Center from its earliest days, the role of Executive Director has given me more visibility as spokesperson and has required that I apply both my management skills and my leadership ability at a time when the Center is embarking on a new, three-year plan.
How did you address this challenge?
By asking for advice and help from colleagues both within and outside of the Rogers Center. Max King, who came to the Rogers Center as Executive Director in 2008, has been instrumental in creating the current momentum of funding and signature programs. Although his commitment for the next few years is to writing Fred's biography, Max continues to be a wonderful and generous advisor. And, I've be able to call upon members of our national Advisory Council, our Senior Fellows, and a small but very talented staff.
- What experience (formal or informal) do you feel has been the most helpful in the development of your leadership skills?
It's really been a cumulative series of experiences over my career, especially over my 23 years at Saint Vincent College. Throughout my years here, I've been able to stretch in new areas — starting out with a defined scope of responsibility for grantseeking but then being able to add program and grant coordination, community outreach, institutional research, and beginning in 2002, planning and management of the Rogers Center. For me, this progression has included so many opportunities to observe and learn from strong leaders .
- Has mentoring played in your professional development? If so, how and what have you learned from your mentor(s)?
I've actually had several mentors in my professional career, and I can see a little of each of them in how I work (hard, and I hope, according to a high standard); how I approach problems (mainly as solvable and as opportunities to find a better way); and how I relate to my staff and other colleagues (with fairness and kindness — just as I like to be treated).
- In hiring or building a staff, what leadership qualities do you look for in others?
I look for a combination of self-confidence, an interest in growing and learning, and empathy.
- What's the best leadership advice you ever received?
Loving what you do means that it always should be fun — for you as the person in the leadership position and for your staff and colleagues.
- When developing younger leaders, what methods and approaches do you find work the best?
Giving people the independence to make decisions as well as the assurance of support when they need it.
- Please complete this sentence — People would be surprised to know that ...
People would be surprised to know that I am now a mainly recreational/fitness runner, but I celebrated my 50th birthday more than a decade ago by running the Pittsburgh Marathon.
- When you need to recharge your batteries and ignite your passion for your work, what do you do?
Spending time with my family is the ultimate battery recharger, especially quiet time with my husband, who centers me like no one else, and playing outdoors with my very sweet grandson. For a professional recharge, attending conferences or other meetings where creative thinkers provoke new ideas inspires and motivates me.
- What's a leadership lesson/advice you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Never expect more from your staff and your colleagues than the example you yourself set — whether it's working long hours, taking initiative, admitting when you need help, or acknowledging the good work of others.
Rita Catalano was named Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media on July 1, 2010. As Executive Director, Rita is responsible for strategic planning, day-to-day Center management, project administration and budgeting, program development, and grantseeking. Rita has been at Saint Vincent since 1988, working primarily as director of foundation and government grantseeking. As Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, she was part of the planning team for the Fred Rogers Center; in 2005, she assumed the full-time position of Center Associate Director and in 2009 she became a Center Co-Director. Rita's career also has included administrative, editorial, and program coordinating experience at the Center for Research in Human Development and Education at Temple University, the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, and Tufts University. Rita received a B.A. in political science from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut, and an M.A. in political science from the University of Pittsburgh.
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