Join us on October 3, 2025, for a powerful session on Stakeholder Engagement led by Ditas Katague, one of California’s leading experts in civic engagement and multi-ethnic outreach.
Meet the Presenter: Ditas Katague
Ditas Katague currently serves as the Director of California’s Complete Count – Census 2020 Office, where she leads statewide efforts to ensure an accurate count of California’s hard-to-reach populations. A veteran of four gubernatorial administrations, Ditas has directed California’s Census efforts since 2000 and chaired the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Advisory Committee on Race and Ethnicity (2015–2018).
She has also served as Chief of Staff to CPUC Commissioner Catherine Sandoval and remains a trusted advisor to the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. Ditas holds an MPA from USC and a BA from UC Berkeley.
Why Stakeholder Engagement Matters
We asked Ditas why stakeholder engagement is essential for local government leaders today. Here’s what she shared:
“Stakeholder engagement is crucial for local government employees because it fosters trust, improves decision-making and leads to more successful and sustainable local projects by including diverse community viewpoints and expertise. How can you effectively service the public if you don’t know what they need?”
Behind the Scenes of California’s Census Outreach
When asked what excites her most about leading California’s decennial outreach efforts, Ditas answered with three bold words: Power. Money. Data.
“The US Decennial Census only happens once a decade and being asked by 3 Governors of California to ensure that ALL Californians are counted was a daunting challenge. Motivating 39+ million residents to respond meant ensuring the most underserved communities were seen, heard, and funded. Understanding who you are trying to reach and impact is the first step in engaging your stakeholders. The Census is the ultimate data source that allows us to engage more effectively.”
Register Today
Learn more about the importance of Stakeholder Engagement for Local Government and join Ditas Katague for this impactful course on October 3, 2025.
For expedited registration or questions, contact Faith Emmert-Sanchez at femmert-sanchez@counties.org