The Ladder Alliance
Kathryn Thalken
Fort Worth-based The Ladder Alliance, an organization dedicated to providing survivors of domestic violence and low-income women with the tools to lead self-sufficient, successful and independent lives, has named Kathryn Thalken as executive director.
Thalken’s appointment was effective March 22.
“I couldn’t be more honored to join The Ladder Alliance as their executive director. This organization continually educates, empowers, and encourages those most vulnerable in our community and has for the last 20 years,” said Thalken in a statement. “I’m excited to see where we will go for the next 20 and can’t wait to get started.”
The Ladder Alliance, a nonprofit founded in 2001 by Sharon Cox, was originally designed to teach computer skills to women survivors of domestic violence and low-income women. In 2015, the second training program, Professional Office Skills Training, was developed to provide more advanced skills geared towards administrative level careers. The Ladder Alliance partnered with the TCU education department to develop a business communications curriculum to be added to the program.
Thalken, a native Texan, has been working in social services for the last 10 years and holds a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from Texas Wesleyan. She is also a licensed marriage and family therapist. Her most recent role was serving as the senior director of programs for The Parenting Center.
Thalken earned a bachelor’s in English language and literature from Tarleton State University.