Staff Biography
Kat Preston-Wager, BA
APSWI Workforce Development Supervisor
kprestonwager@sdsu.edu
Kat Preston-Wager, BA, is a Workforce Development Supervisor for APS Workforce Innovations (APSWI), developing curricula and workforce development resources to strengthen APS programs across the nation, paying close attention to trauma-informed and inclusive training. She is passionate about ensuring that those who make up the APS workforce have the tools, confidence, and practice they need to allow them to do their best work.
Kat has over 15 years of experience working with survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence with specialized skills in crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, advocacy, case management, and facilitation. Kat is a former Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the Department of the Navy and provided case management for survivors of sexual assault. She began her career as a Prevention Educator for a Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Agency focusing closely on teen relationship abuse prevention.
Learn more about Kat:
When did you join the Academy, and what was your position when you first joined?
I joined the Academy in November of 2017 as a Curriculum Development Specialist for at the time, a team of 3. As the Curriculum Development Specialist, I get to develop and craft training and workforce development tools for Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals which are accessed by APS programs within our state as well as across our country. I collaborate with subject matter experts in the field to provide APS professionals with tools to build their confidence and increase their investigative skills.
How has working at the Academy revolutionized your career and/or life?
I never knew work/life/play balance could be obtainable. I have often enjoyed my jobs, but was never fully present in all three: work, life, and play. I feel the support we give each other, the role modeling from our colleagues and leaders allows for this to truly happen.
What is your favorite part of the job?
I am so grateful to work at the Academy because we value each other. We honor the skills we, as individual staff, bring as well as value the lessons and opportunities to learn from our colleagues. We value the opinions, needs, and experiences of our stakeholders and partners, and communities. It just feels like everyone is seen as important and has the opportunity to influence either a process, a project, or a program. I love having the opportunity to show up as I am; my true, whole, authentic self, and that many others feel safe to do the same.
What is a fun fact we should know about you?
I would eat sashimi every day if I could afford it!
What are your StrengthsFinder Top 5?
Communication, Empathy, Relator, Developer, Maximizer