Master of Leadership - USC Price School of Public Policy
Bachelor of Arts, Communication - University of Arizona College of Social & Behavioral Science
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP BIOGRAPHY
Kathleen M. O'Halloran is an education, wellness, and community engagement leader with experience spanning nonprofit management, healthcare philanthropy, public education, and higher education governance. She currently serves as Founder and CEO of Celo Learning, where she develops programs and partnerships that support youth, young adults, and families navigating educational, vocational, social, and independent living transitions.
Kathleen is a California credentialed Education Specialist with Autism Authorization and a Certified Wellness Coach II designated by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). She also holds a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization and has worked with learners from kindergarten through adulthood across public, nonprofit, and community-based settings.
Prior to entering public education, Kathleen built a successful career in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and healthcare external relations. She advanced into Director-level leadership with Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County before serving as Director of Development, Philanthropy, and External Relations at City of Hope National Medical Center. Her work included strategic partnership development, community engagement, donor relations, volunteer leadership, public outreach, and initiatives supporting healthcare access and philanthropy throughout Southern California.
In 2016, a period of family caregiving and exposure to disability-related systems redirected Kathleen's professional trajectory. Rather than stepping away from service, she pursued extensive post-graduate preparation, completing nearly 80 semester units beyond her master's degree and earning a California Education Specialist credential. Over the next eight years, she developed expertise in behavioral health, disability services, educational access, transition planning, stakeholder engagement, and multidisciplinary team leadership.
From 2017 through 2025, Kathleen served California public schools in special education, inclusion, wellness, and transition-focused leadership roles. She became known for advancing inclusive learning environments, implementing social-emotional wellness initiatives, supporting complex student populations, and building collaborative systems that improve outcomes for students and families.
Her leadership is informed by a systems perspective that recognizes the interconnected nature of healthcare, education, housing, workforce development, and disability services. Drawing from experience across sectors, Kathleen specializes in building partnerships that improve quality of life and expand access to opportunity.
Kathleen serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors as the appointed representative for the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and participates in the California Department of Public Health Safe Schools Team. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children Division on Career Development and Transition and the American Psychological Association Division 25: Behavior Analysis, where she was elected to Teacher status in 2025.
She earned an Executive Master of Leadership from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Arizona.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY BIOGRAPHY
Kathleen M. O'Halloran is a California credentialed Education Specialist, Certified Wellness Coach II, and Founder & CEO of Celo Learning. She is passionate about helping youth, young adults, and families navigate educational, social, vocational, and independent living transitions with confidence, dignity, and self-determination.
Her work is grounded not only in professional expertise but also in personal experience navigating disability-related systems and caregiving responsibilities. In 2016, Kathleen's life took an unexpected turn when she was confronted with information regarding Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic condition that introduced new considerations for family planning, caregiving, and long-term support.
Determined to better understand the realities faced by individuals and families navigating disability and health-related challenges, she immersed herself in learning about the medical, educational, behavioral health, and community systems that support quality of life across the lifespan. What began as a personal journey evolved into a professional calling.
Kathleen pursued extensive post-graduate teacher preparation, earned a California Education Specialist credential with Autism Authorization, and dedicated nearly a decade to serving students and families in California public schools. Along the way, she developed expertise in disability services, behavioral health, transition planning, self-advocacy, and relationship-centered support.
From 2017 through 2025, Kathleen worked with students ranging from kindergarten through age 22, supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and a wide range of learning, communication, behavioral health, and transition needs. She became known for creating inclusive learning environments, fostering social-emotional wellness, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and helping young people build the skills needed to pursue meaningful adult lives.
Today, Kathleen specializes in supporting transition-aged youth and young adults as they explore education, employment, relationships, community participation, and independent living. Her work integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL), evidence-based social skills instruction, wellness coaching, and individualized planning that recognizes success looks different for every person.
As a certified UCLA PEERS® for Young Adults provider, Kathleen teaches evidence-based social and relationship skills that help individuals build meaningful connections and greater confidence in their daily lives. She also incorporates the Possible Selves framework to help clients identify personal strengths, envision future goals, and take actionable steps toward achieving them.
Through Celo Learning, Kathleen provides individualized coaching, transition services, family consultation, and community education designed to empower individuals to build meaningful, self-directed lives. Her approach combines professional expertise with genuine empathy for the challenges many families face while navigating complex systems and life transitions.
Kathleen holds an Executive Master of Leadership from the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Arizona. She serves on the USC Alumni Association Board of Governors, participates in the California Department of Public Health Safe Schools Team, and remains committed to advancing inclusion, access, and opportunity for all.