Using her heart as her compass, Kathleen ‘Kat’ LeBlanc’s compassionate drive has led her on a journey that is transforming how New Brunswick, and beyond, supports individuals experiencing homelessness.
Growing up in a close-knit family, Kat’s deep-rooted values around family fueled her decision to pursue higher education at NBCC. Reflecting on this choice, she shares, “I wanted to do something that she [my daughter] could be proud of and be excited to tell her friends about what her mom does.”
In December 2020, while still in school, Kat’s world was turned upside down when her nephew, Kyle, went missing. The bond they shared was sibling-like, making the tragedy all the more devastating. This heartbreaking experience, coupled with her nonprofit work at Brilliant Labs, redefined meaningful work for her and awakened an innate calling. “Family is very important to me, and that’s why the tragedy with my nephew really impacted me so greatly,” she recalls with emotion.
After graduating from NBCC’s Information Technology: Programmer Analyst (ITPA) program in 2021, Kat initially envisioned a career aligned with her studies. However, her heart, still gripped by the memory of Kyle, led her to the Human Development Council (HDC). When she saw a job posting to assist in a system that tracked homelessness, she knew this was her true vocation. “When I saw the posting, I thought, if I could stop one family from going through what ours did, it would be worth it.”
Kat’s role at the HDC began with managing user accounts as a Homelessness Information System Specialist, but she quickly identified an opportunity to make a deeper impact. Leveraging the programming skills she developed at NBCC, she transformed the existing database into a comprehensive tool for managing homelessness across New Brunswick. This innovative system enabled real-time tracking and data-driven decision-making, significantly improving how the province addressed homelessness.
Since joining the HDC, Kat’s work has become instrumental in shaping homelessness policy and strategy across the province. As the Lead Homelessness Information System (HIFIS) Administrator, her efforts have led to hundreds of individuals finding housing, a deeper understanding of homelessness in our province, and how to best allocate resources.
Looking to the future, Kat is eager to continue using data to paint vivid pictures that will educate and advocate for resources where they are needed most. The ripple effect of Kat’s work is inspiring, and its transformative power can be felt throughout communities across the province.
For her efforts in transforming lives and communities, Kat was one of four NBCC alumni to receive a 2024 NBCC Alumni Recognition Award.
