Kathy Santiago Allen grew up in Provo and received a degree in nursing from Brigham Young University. She loved working in women's health and in the medical spa industry in Southern California before shifting her focus to raising five kids. Her husband's educational pursuits took them to San Diego and Los Angeles, then to St Louis, before they settled in North Phoenix. This past June they relocated to Mapleton, Utah. Kathy has loved serving in Primary presidencies, Relief Society presidencies, as Relief Society president, and most recently as a stake Relief Society president. She currently loves serving as a Young Women advisor, and her favorite calling will always be as a ministering sister. Kathy and her husband Jared have been married for 27 years. They enjoy hiking and traveling together, and have found that counseling with one another in their callings helps them serve with an even greater capacity.
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Highlights
Kathy shares valuable insights on effective leadership principles, including the significance of ministering as a way of life rather than just an assignment. She discusses the dynamics of her ward in Phoenix, characterized by a smaller membership and the need for unity and collaboration among members. Kathy recounts her efforts to foster a culture of service within her stake, utilizing the JustServe program to connect with local nonprofits and encourage members to engage in community service. She highlights the importance of expanding the circle of help, recognizing that leaders cannot do everything alone and must delegate responsibilities to others.
Kathy also shares inspiring stories of service projects that brought members together, emphasizing how serving alongside one another fosters unity and strengthens relationships. She concludes with a reminder of the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and the need for leaders to discern what is truly necessary in their service.
05:27 - Moving from Phoenix to Utah: A Personal Transition
06:29 - Dynamics of a North Phoenix Ward: Challenges and Community
09:50 - Advice for Stake Relief Society Presidents During Realignment
12:46 - Training and Supporting New Relief Society Presidents
14:22 - Spiritual Preparedness: The Foundation of Leadership
24:22 - Ministering as the Answer to Challenges
30:30 - Expanding the Circle: Avoiding Burnout in Service
34:23 - Service Promotes Unity: Building a Culture of Service
42:00 - Collaborating with Nonprofits: The Joy of Service
46:52 - Balancing Service and Boundaries: Insights from President Nelson
48:06 - The Importance of Female Leadership in the Church
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Establishing a Culture of Service in Relief Society | A How I Lead Interview with Kathy Santiago Allen | Leading Saints Podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
