Katie Litanga joined Jewish Family & Career Services in 2025 and serves as the agency’s Chief Operating Officer.
Katie has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 17 years, with experience spanning direct case management, program design, and organizational management. Her work has supported initiatives in immigrant and refugee services, affordable housing, mental health, aging, and community development – both locally in Louisville and at the national level. Prior to joining JFCS, she led a national team at Church World Service coordinating technical assistance and program quality efforts for case management and specialized services.
Katie received an MA in international development from Ohio University and a BA in anthropology from the University of Louisville. When she’s not working, she enjoys hiking, stargazing, and adventuring with her family, and their dog, Lola.
Kathryn Cowart, LPCC-S., is a community professional with 13 years of experience in clinical counseling and administrative management. Kathryn joined JFCS as our Assistant Director of Programs in August 2022, coming to us from Seven Counties Services, Inc.’s Child and Family West office, a community mental health office serving the West End community of Louisville, where she served as a clinical and program supervisor. In May 2025, Kathryn was promoted to the Chief Program Officer role and oversees all the programs at Jewish Family & Career Services.
Originally from Northern Kentucky, Kathryn graduated from Loyola University Chicago and The University of Louisville, where she earned her Master’s Degree in clinical counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy. She has been in private practice since 2021. In addition to her work at Seven Counties Services, Inc., Kathryn, worked at Bellewood & Brooklawn (formerly Uspiritus) for 9 years as a clinical counselor and ultimately the Clinical Director for the last 7 years she was there. Kathryn’s clinical background includes work with children through adults on a variety of mental health concerns, diagnoses, needs, and trauma history. Her primary goal in providing mental health services to the community and clients that she serves is to assist clients in achieving their greatest autonomy and self-actualization in their daily lives. Kathryn has 8 years of experience in supervising and managing clinically based teams both in a residential and community mental health-based settings. Additionally, she provides clinical supervision for clinicians with their LPCA working towards their LPCC in the state of Kentucky.
Kathryn and her husband live in Louisville and have a son, two cats, and a dog.
Email Kathryn at kcowart@jfcslouisville.org.
Valecia joined Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS) in May 2021 as Director of Navigate, moving into the nonprofit sector after enjoying a rewarding career in the news publishing industry with Gannett Co. Inc/USA TODAY. In this role, Valecia is responsible for providing business planning services and microlending opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in marginalized communities.
Valecia, holding both regional and national roles during her news publishing career, was recognized as an industry expert in consumer marketing, sales, and operations, achieving consistent levels of top-line circulation revenue. Her leadership successes were reflected in multiple industry roles, including President of the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) Circulation Federation and President of the Ohio Circulation Managers Association (OCMA).
Valecia currently serves on the board for Credit Builders Alliance (CBA) and CBA Fund, a CDFI intermediary. She is a Community Impact Cabinet (CIC) member with Metro United Way, a role being served since 2019. Valecia recently joined the Black L.O.V.E. Philanthropic Partnership (BLPP) as a Strategic Advisor. She previously served in volunteer roles for CASA and AARP Kentucky Volunteer.
Valecia is a graduate of Drury University in Springfield, MO, with a degree in Business Administration, minors in Economics and Communication. Valecia is close to her two brothers, both of whom live in Springfield, MO, where she frequently travels to visit them and friends in the area.
Email Valecia at vquinn@jfcslouisville.org.
Lauren joined the JFCS team in 2021 as the Executive Assistant. With extensive experience as an Executive Assistant, working with amazing CEOs and Boards of Directors over the years, she feels as though she has found her home at JFCS. Her positive and warm demeanor dovetails her role as a liaison between the executive team and the Board of Directors, as well as a general multitasker extraordinaire.
Lauren has a great partner and son, who loves to laugh as much as she does. She revels in making lists, creating art, pen-palling and listening to podcasts.
I feel and see JFCS’s values at work and in-action every single day that I am here. Our guiding principles and values sincerely matter to me and they radiate through our entire staff. I am genuinely proud to say I work at JFCS. It is an honor to work alongside such a giving, mission-driven group of people. From direct-care providers to admin staff, to our dedicated Board of Directors. We all come together to serve others and do our part to repair the world.
Email Lauren at lkelty@jfcslouisville.org.