Every Woman Has a Right to Feel Safe Within Her Own Body

Katie Skibbe, IMPACT Chicago Board member and Instructor-in-Training, was introduced to IMPACT in 2007, when she took the Core program.  “I came to IMPACT,” she says, “because I was tired of being scared and feeling that I had no way to protect myself against an attack.”  Inspired by what she learned in the Core course and by the deep connections she formed with other students, Katie began volunteering for the organization.  In June of 2010, she joined the Board of Directors and was immediately elected Treasurer and appointed to the Board’s Executive Committee.  

Also in 2010, Katie was selected, following an intensive interview process, as one of two new Instructors-in-Training for IMPACT Chicago.  She is excited about the opportunity to expand IMPACT’s instructor corps and eager to guide students through the Core program.  “Every woman has a right to feel safe within her own body; and I look forward to helping women and girls learn to use their physical and spiritual power to defend themselves successfully.” 

 When she’s not volunteering for IMPACT Chicago, Katie works as the Assistant Finance Director for a local municipality.  She is also the Treasurer of the District 207 Education Foundation and a volunteer at the Des Plaines Historical Society.  She and her husband have just welcomed their first child into the world, and they are discovering that “time” and “sleep” are both precious commodities!

“I love being involved in IMPACT,” Katie says.  “The classes create such community; it’s amazing to see women who were strangers the day before offering support to each other and laughing together.  Lifetime friendships are forged in a weekend.  I come away from every IMPACT event feeling refreshed, invigorated, and hopeful.”

 Katie was interviewed by Amy Voege, IMPACT Chicago Board member