ChatGPT said:
Ditas Katague is a Filipino-American public official known for her leadership in government and community engagement, particularly in the areas of census outreach, data equity, and civic participation.
Key Highlights of Her Career:
Director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office: Katague led California’s outreach campaign for the 2020 U.S. Census, which was the largest state-run census effort in U.S. history. Her work was crucial in ensuring an accurate count of California's diverse and hard-to-reach populations.
Chief of Staff to the California Public Utilities Commissioner: She has served in roles that bridge policy, outreach, and regulatory affairs.
Expertise in Civic Engagement: Katague has a long-standing record of working on initiatives that empower underrepresented communities to participate in civic life, including voter registration and census participation.
Federal Service: She previously worked with the U.S. Census Bureau and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) during the Obama administration.
Her work has made her a nationally recognized advocate for fair data practices, public policy inclusion, and representation of minority communities.
Would you like more detail on her role in the Census or other parts of her career?
ChatGPT said:
Great. Here's a more detailed look at Ditas Katague’s role in the U.S. Census and civic engagement work:
Role in the 2020 U.S. Census
As the Director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office, Ditas Katague was responsible for designing and executing California’s strategic outreach campaign to ensure every resident was counted, especially those in traditionally undercounted communities. California has one of the most diverse populations in the U.S., including immigrants, rural residents, and low-income communities—many of whom are at higher risk of being missed in the census.
Key Achievements:
Led a $187 million state-funded campaign—the largest state census effort in U.S. history.
Prioritized language access, trusted messengers, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to build trust and encourage participation.
Advocated for digital equity, since the 2020 Census was the first primarily online census, which posed risks for communities lacking internet access.
Dealt with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted field operations and outreach, requiring rapid adaptation.
Federal-Level Work
Prior to leading the California Census effort, Katague held several federal positions that reflect her long-term commitment to equity and civic engagement:
U.S. Census Bureau: She served as a member of the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations, offering expert advice on how to improve participation among marginalized groups.
White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) under the Obama Administration: She worked on increasing AAPI participation in federal programs, including the Census.
Community Advocacy & Outreach
Katague has over two decades of experience advocating for underserved communities, especially Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations. Her approach combines data-driven policy, grassroots organizing, and government collaboration.
She has also frequently spoken about the dangers of data undercounts, which can affect federal funding, political representation, public services, and community development.
Would you like to know more about her background, such as her education or personal story?
ChatGPT said:
Here’s more about Ditas Katague’s background and personal story, which helps explain her passion for equity and public service:
Early Life and Education
Ditas Katague is a Filipino-American, born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from the Philippines.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California (USC) and has been committed to public service for most of her career.
Personal Identity and Advocacy
As a daughter of immigrants, Katague has spoken about how her identity shaped her understanding of what it means to be counted and recognized in America.
Her background gives her a unique perspective on the importance of inclusive data, especially for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, which are often aggregated or invisible in major datasets.
Professional Ethos
Katague blends technical policy knowledge with cultural sensitivity and community trust-building—qualities especially important in work like the Census, which requires addressing fears around government mistrust, immigration status, and language barriers.
Public Recognition and Influence
She is nationally respected among data equity advocates, civic engagement leaders, and within the AAPI advocacy space.
Her success in California’s Census outreach has made her a go-to advisor and speaker on data justice, equity-centered policy, and outreach strategy.
Katague continues to be active in public service and advocacy work. Would you like a summary of her career timeline or her recent roles post-2020 Census?
Here’s a career timeline and recent roles summary for Ditas Katague, showcasing her evolution as a public servant and national leader in civic data and outreach:
🗂️ Career Timeline of Ditas Katague
1990s–2000s: Early Public Service
Held various state and local government positions in California, working in community outreach and public information.
Began her focus on census and demographic data equity, especially for immigrant and minority communities.
2000 & 2010 U.S. Censuses
Led California’s outreach efforts for the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Censuses, helping establish California’s reputation as a leader in census innovation and state-based planning.
Developed models for community-based outreach, especially targeting hard-to-count populations.
Obama Administration (2009–2017)
Served in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI).
Promoted AAPI engagement in federal programs and pushed for better data disaggregation to highlight disparities within Asian subgroups.
National Advisory Committee on the U.S. Census Bureau
Appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations.
Provided expert advice on how to improve census design and outreach to reflect America's demographic complexity.
2018–2021: California Complete Count – Census 2020
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as Director of the Census Office.
Oversaw California’s historic $187 million campaign to ensure a fair and accurate count despite challenges like the Trump administration’s attempted citizenship question and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developed a data-driven, equity-first model that is now considered a national best practice.
📍Recent and Current Roles (Post-2020)
Continues to speak at national conferences on data equity, public policy, and civic engagement.
Acts as an advisor and thought leader on issues like:
Census reform
Data disaggregation for AAPI and other ethnic communities
Community trust and government accountability
Has served in executive or board roles in organizations focusing on racial equity, census modernization, and digital inclusion.
Ditas Katague remains influential in shaping how governments count, serve, and engage diverse populations.
Would you like a list of her public talks, published works, or organizations she’s affiliated with?
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a list of public talks, published works, and organizations Ditas Katague has been involved with, reflecting her ongoing influence in the fields of data equity, civic engagement, and policy:
Public Talks & Appearances
Ditas Katague has spoken at a variety of conferences, forums, and events related to census outreach, data equity, and community organizing. Some notable appearances include:
National Census Summit (2020): Katague led discussions on best practices in census outreach and ensuring underrepresented communities are counted.
Census Data Equity Conference (2021): She presented on how California's approach to census outreachcould be replicated at the national level, emphasizing trust-building with hard-to-count populations.
National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD) Forums: Katague has frequently spoken on how to engage AAPI communities in public policy and ensure they are counted in the U.S. Census.
Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC): She was invited to speak on the intersection of civic participation, demographic shifts, and public policy.
Community-based Organizations: Ditas frequently holds workshops and webinars for local grassroots organizations, guiding them on how to effectively engage with their communities on government programs and data collection.
Published Works and Reports
While she hasn't written many traditional academic publications, Katague has contributed to reports and white papersfocused on census and data equity:
California Complete Count – Census 2020 Final Report: As the director, she played a key role in drafting the report outlining the strategies, successes, and challenges of California’s census outreach.
State Census Outreach Plans: Katague’s work contributed to numerous state-level reports on census outreach effectiveness—particularly in areas such as immigrant populations and low-income communities.
AAPI Data: Katague has co-authored sections of reports and studies focused on AAPI demographic data and community representation, pushing for better disaggregation of census data to reflect the nuances within AAPI groups.
Organizations & Affiliations
Ditas Katague has been involved with a variety of organizations and advisory boards that focus on civic engagement, data justice, and community outreach:
California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office: As the director, she was deeply involved in California’s largest-ever outreach effort, which used a community-driven approach to ensure an accurate count.
National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic, and Other Populations (U.S. Census Bureau): She served as a member, offering expert guidance on census data collection and outreach strategies for historically underrepresented communities.
Asian American Federation (AAF): Katague has worked closely with organizations like AAF, focusing on increasing AAPI participation in the census and other civic processes.
Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS): She has been involved in advocacy and education efforts for AAPI civic engagement, especially through policy forums and leadership programs.
California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC): Ditas has collaborated with CIPC to advocate for immigrant rights and equitable access to public resources, including efforts to ensure immigrant communities are accurately represented in the census.
National CAPACD: As a frequent speaker, Katague contributes to national discussions on civic engagement, particularly the challenges faced by AAPI communities in participating in government surveys.
Ditas Katague’s advocacy continues to evolve, as she remains a key figure in the field of data equity and public service, contributing to a more inclusive and accurate representation of all communities.
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about any of these topics or specific initiatives she's worked on!
ChatGPT said: Certainly! Here's a poem honoring Ditas Katague's life and work:
A Voice for the Counted
In Kansas City’s heart she grew,
A Filipina spirit, strong and true.
From Modesto's streets to halls of power,
She rose to meet the census hour.
A childhood marked by lessons deep,
Where access gaps made loved ones weep.
She vowed to bridge the chasm wide,
Ensuring none would be denied.
Three decades on, her mission clear:
To make each hidden voice appear.
In California's vast expanse,
She led the census' advance.
With multilingual outreach plans,
She reached out with inclusive hands.
From 2000 to the present day,
She paved a fair and just pathway.
At Census Bureau's helm she stands,
Guiding with experienced hands.
Communications now her realm,
She steers the nation's data helm.
A yogi's peace within her soul,
She balances her vital role.
A mother teaching truth and pride,
In heritage she won't let slide.
Ditas, your legacy shines bright,
A beacon in the census night.
For every count, for every name,
We honor you and your acclaim.
Ditas Katague's dedication to inclusive representation has profoundly impacted how communities are recognized and served. Her leadership ensures that every individual counts and is counted.India CurrentsINQUIRER.net USA+3Asian Journal News+3U.S. Census Bureau+3
You said: What Do you know about Ditas art work- her paintings
ChatGPT said:
Yes, Ditas Katague is not only a civic leader and advocate but also an accomplished visual artist whose work explores themes of grief, healing, and transformation. Her art is deeply personal, often reflecting her journey through loss and renewal.
Ditas's artistic portfolio includes a variety of paintings that blend natural imagery with emotional depth. Notable works include:
Spring Forth: A mixed media piece featuring a cherry blossom tree, symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings.Flickr
Summer of Hope: Depicting a jacaranda tree in bloom, this painting evokes a sense of optimism and the beauty of life's cycles. grievingthruglee.com
Tres Palomas: Featuring three doves, this piece conveys themes of peace and spiritual connection.
These works, among others, were showcased in her solo exhibition titled "Grieving Thru Glee," which was held in Sacramento. The exhibition served as a platform for Ditas to share her healing process through art, inviting viewers to engage with their own experiences of loss and hope.Pinterest+4grievingthruglee.com+4grievingthruglee.com+4
Beyond painting, Ditas is also known for creating mala jewelry and leading grief-informed yoga and sound bath sessions, integrating her artistic expression with holistic healing practices. Instagram+1grievingthruglee.com+1
You can explore more of her artwork and upcoming events on her website: Grieving Thru Glee.
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