Katarina Vinyard-Perez is an Operations Specialist for The Kaleidoscope Group (KG), a full-service diversity and inclusion consulting firm dedicated to unlocking human potential. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day procedures to ensure organizational effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. As Operations Specialist, Katarina is responsible for developing intra-office communication protocols, overseeing HubSpot utilization, collaborating with IT for technology needs and equipment, and contributing to DEI practice area(s). Katarina’s goal is to coordinate and provide support with all business units so KG can provide the best service to clients throughout their relationship with the firm.
Katarina’s background is in operations, employee relations, and HRIS systems training. Through her experience in these areas, she has refined her communication skills and consistently improved organizational efficiencies. She believes there are always areas to grow – individually, as a team, and as an organization. Katarina strives to increase efficiencies and collaborate with team members for their feedback and best practices.
Prior to KG, Katarina spent four years working at United Service Companies; her most recent position was Operations Support Specialist. In this role, she was the United Temps, Inc. corporate trainer for HRIS systems and provided client and employee support through the onboarding and hiring lifecycle. At United Service Companies she built upon communication and organizational skills, learned several operations systems, and trained regional managers and administrators across the U.S. Katarina gained invaluable insight on the implementation team for new systems and led by example through her organized and methodical processes for maximized efficiency.
Outside of KG, Katarina volunteers with the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit dedicated to providing support for families of fallen and catastrophically injured police officers. Their mission also extends to current CPD through suicide prevention as well as special assistance cases. She has taken a special interest in emotional support for the children of police officers who have lost a parent in law enforcement. Katarina has planned outings in the hopes of connecting these children and young adults so they can create and build stronger relationships. She herself is the child of a fallen CPD officer and knows first-hand the importance of connecting with others in similar situations and the reassurance you are never alone.
Katarina aspires to combine her personal experiences with continuing higher education to address the relationship between law enforcement and communities. She understands the complex challenges and hopes to elevate trust and equity to transport the current relationship to where it can be.
She holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Iowa and has started the MBA program at DePaul University while completing her Certificate in Community Development. Outside of work Katarina enjoys walking her rescue dog, Stevie, along the lakefront, experimenting with new recipes, going to Sox games, and spending time with family and friends. She cannot wait to use her passport again and her next international travel will be to Japan during blossom season or Italy to eat endless pasta, sightsee, and tour vineyards.
