Building Impactful Tech in the Nonprofit Sector with Kathryn Mattie

Kathryn shares how Brightpoint operates at scale with a team of nearly 950 staff supporting families in areas like mental health, early education, and child welfare. While funding comes largely from state and federal partnerships, Kathryn emphasizes the importance of both public and private collaborators—including AWS, a key supporter of Brightpoint’s emerging AI solutions. As CIO, she’s leading efforts to break down data silos, automate administrative workflows, and prototype tools that improve service access for underserved families.

One of Brightpoint’s most ambitious projects is a multilingual AI chatbot designed to help parents navigate services like food, housing, and mental health in real time. Funded through an AWS Children’s Health Innovation award, the tool leverages organizational knowledge and GenAI to deliver timely support—24/7. Kathryn explains how the team is building it securely, exploring licensing possibilities for sustainability, and prototyping with Brightpoint’s doula program to ensure real-world value.

Kathryn also speaks candidly about her journey from intern to executive, crediting her career progression not to technical prowess, but to people skills, process awareness, and maintaining long-term relationships. She offers tactical advice for staying in touch professionally, embracing discomfort to grow, and leading with a give-first mindset—especially valuable for younger tech professionals navigating their early careers.