Meet Cat Curry-Williams | Philanthropist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Cat Curry-Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Cat, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind my success is simple: I don’t wait for perfection.
I’ve learned that purpose reveals itself through action. Every meaningful chapter of my life began with a step I wasn’t fully prepared to take. The organizations I’ve founded, the books I’ve written, and the impact I’ve been fortunate to create all started the same way, with a willingness to begin before I had everything figured out.
Progress, not perfection, is what helped me turn pain into purpose, ideas into action, and someday into now.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional journey has never followed a traditional path. I often say that I didn’t choose philanthropy, philanthropy chose me.
After the loss of my infant son, Shane, I found myself searching for meaning in unimaginable grief. That search led me to found Shane’s Inspiration, an organization that has created inclusive playgrounds and programs around the world. What began as personal pain became a lifelong mission and taught me one of the greatest lessons of my life: purpose grows from the places we least expect.
6 years ago, I co-founded She Angels Foundation, a collective-giving organization dedicated to supporting women-led grassroots nonprofits. Along the way, I became an author and TEDx speaker, sharing a message that has become central to both my work and my life: ordinary people have extraordinary power to create change.
My first book, Philanthropy on a Shoestring: How to Make a Difference on $1.40 a Day, was born of a simple yet powerful belief: you don’t need to be wealthy to be a philanthropist. The book challenges conventional ideas about giving and empowers people to recognize that small actions, when multiplied, can create a remarkable impact.
Today, I am especially excited about my newest project, A Gratitude Journal for Every Chapter of a Woman’s Life. While it may seem very different from a book about philanthropy, the truth is they are deeply connected. Gratitude has been one of the guiding forces in my life. It has carried me through heartbreak, uncertainty, reinvention, and growth. Looking back, I can see that gratitude wasn’t just something I practiced during the good times, it was often what helped me survive the difficult ones.
Has the journey been easy? Not at all. Like many women, I’ve faced personal loss, professional challenges, self-doubt, and moments when the path forward wasn’t clear. What helped me move through those seasons was focusing on what was possible rather than what was missing, trusting that setbacks contain hidden opportunities, and surrounding myself with people who inspire action and hope.
The lessons I’ve learned are simple but profound: lead with purpose, take imperfect action, never underestimate the power of community, and cultivate gratitude every step of the way. Gratitude doesn’t erase challenges, but it changes how we experience them.
If there’s one thing I want the world to know about my brand and my story, it’s this: You don’t have to wait for someday. Whether you’re giving back, starting over, pursuing a dream, or writing a new chapter, now is the time. Small steps matter. Kindness matters. Community matters. And when we combine purpose with gratitude, extraordinary things become possible.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you were spending a perfect day with me in Los Angeles, we’d probably start with pizza at my favorite spot in Larchmont Village, Village Pizzeria. From there, we’d head to McConnell’s in Studio City for a scoop (or two) of ice cream, because ice cream is happiness.
As the sun begins to set, we’d make our way to the Griffith Observatory, where I’m a contributing member; it’s one of my favorite places in the city. Standing there, looking out at the stars and the vastness of the universe, always reminds me of possibility, wonder, and so much hope.
And if we had a little extra time, we’d take a road trip up the California coast to Solvang. We’d stop at my favorite winery, Rideau Vineyard, enjoy a glass of wine among the vines, and end the day with dinner at SY Kitchen. Great food, great conversation, beautiful scenery.
Growing up in Brooklyn taught me something I’ve spent a lifetime proving true: the best things in life aren’t always fancy. Give me people I love, a great conversation, a grateful heart, and a slice of pizza, I’ll take that over just about anything.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There isn’t just one person I’d like to give a shoutout to; it’s truly a village.
My mom, my sisters, my daughter, countless friends, mentors, colleagues, and champions who believed in me before I fully believed in myself, have all been my constant cheerleaders through every chapter of my life. My son Shane, whose life inspired so much of my purpose-driven work, remains the greatest inspiration of all.
I’ve learned that while one person may have the vision, it takes a village to help bring it to life.
Website: https://sheangelsfoundation.org/
Instagram: @catcurrywilliams
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinecurrywilliams/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teAeqcxozhw&t=4s
Image Credits
Kathy Schuh Photography for my head shot
818.521.7798
www.kathyschuhphotography.com
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