Interview by Jennie Trejo. Photos provided by Ascend Dallas.
For Women’s Equality Day, we caught up with Kate Rose Marquez, the dynamic CEO of Ascend Dallas. With a mission to empower women, fight poverty, and impact generations, Ascend Dallas has long been a cornerstone of hope and transformation in the North Texas community. Through personalized 1:1 interactions, Ascend creates a bond of trust with each client, becoming more than just an organization – it becomes a partner in an upward trajectory.
Central to this mission are Ascend’s two core programs: Economic Advancement (EA) and Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). These programs, powered by a devoted staff, are not just services; they are lifelines for individuals seeking brighter, more prosperous futures. Kate Rose Marquez brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously led transformative initiatives at St. Vincent de Paul Society of North Texas and The Dallas Morning News. Her deep understanding of both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, combined with her passion for service, has positioned her as a leader who not only uplifts organizations but also the women and communities they serve. Join us as we delve into her journey, her vision for Ascend Dallas, and the incredible impact of empowering women to break the cycle of poverty.
I moved to Dallas 35 years ago to work as a health and medical reporter at Channel Five, eventually shifting to the business side of journalism and becoming the VP of Marketing at the Dallas Morning News. My background in media, branding, and sponsorships kept me engaged with the community by serving on boards and chairing events, even while raising three kids as a stay-at-home mom. Eventually, I needed to go back to work. A friend of mine told me, “The most you’re ever revved up is when you’re talking about your nonprofit work. Have you considered flipping sides?” That insight led me to a role at St. Vincent de Paul, where I helped launch Texas’ first free pharmacy. It was a perfect fit, blending my skills in communications and fundraising with a passion for making a difference. I’ve been in my current nonprofit role for 4.5 years now, and it continues to feel like the right place for me.
A lot of people don’t know this, but the YMCA and the YWCA originally started in 1908 as safe housing and job training for young women during the industrial revolution. You know that song, “It’s fun to stay at the YMCA?” That’s where it comes from. Ascend Dallas’ roots date back to that time.
Over 116 years we have done a great job of evolving, moving away from those original services. Both YWCA and the YMCA have done a very good job of reading the room, and asking what does our community need? We were the first nonprofit in the state of Texas to provide the Nurse Family Partnership. Our Chief Strategy Officer, Susan Smithson, has been with us for 20 years. She’s really the architect of most of our programming that is out of her knowledge and understanding of the challenges of women in our community. All along the way, we’ve looked at where we are and how to really provide the services that our community needs.
Jackie Green joined our Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program when she was pregnant and earning around $34,000 a year, qualifying her for Medicaid. As the sole breadwinner with a husband on disability, Jackie found our program through a WIC office flyer. She not only received support from a nurse who visited her home every two weeks, but she also worked with an economic advancement coach. During one of their sessions, Jackie mentioned wanting a college degree but thought it was too late. Her coach encouraged her, helped her secure scholarship funds, and Jackie enrolled at UT Arlington. She earned a bachelor’s degree, which led to a higher-paying job, boosting her income to nearly $80,000 a year. Jackie then completed a master’s in social work and was invited to be a national ambassador for NFP, meeting with congressional offices in DC to advocate for funding. Just six years ago, Jackie was earning $34,000 with limited prospects, but today she’s a master’s graduate and a national representative walking the halls of Congress.
When you empower a woman, you empower her entire community. It’s like the saying, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Women are often the primary financial decision-makers in their households. Our clients are 93 percent women of color, with about 75 percent earning $45,000 or less annually. Around 65 percent are single heads of households. These statistics, which align with findings from the Texas Women’s Foundation and Prosperity Now, show that women-led households, particularly in Texas and Dallas County, are disproportionately affected by poverty.
Our mission is to empower women, fight poverty, and impact generations, and we do this by providing tools and skills that build financial resiliency. Many of our clients are unbanked when they come to us, but through our programs, they learn financial concepts that open doors to banking, credit development, and more. Many people unknowingly undermine their financial well-being, often by damaging their own credit. We help women recognize and correct these behaviors, giving them the knowledge to change the trajectory of their lives. What better form of equity is there?
Volunteers can support us in several impactful ways. One option is to co-teach our financial education classes, such as “Fluent in Finances,” which starts with basic budgeting and financial concepts. We welcome both in-person and virtual co-teaching, and volunteers don’t need to be financial experts—just passionate about helping others. We also offer classes on practical topics like car buying and negotiating raises. If there’s interest in new topics, our staff PhD in curriculum development can create custom classes based on volunteer and client suggestions.
For those looking to contribute financially, North Texas Giving Day is a major opportunity for us, with matching funds available throughout the day. We hope that people can still find us this year with the name change of our organization! Additionally, our annual event, Pop, Fizz, Clink, is a champagne brunch celebrating our clients and mission. Scheduled for May 9, the Friday before Mother’s Day, this event has been so successful that we sold out six weeks in advance last year. Our honorary chairs this year are Jessica Shepherd and Tiffany Moon, ensuring a fun and memorable experience.
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