Kate Kousser, director of development for Casa de Amistad in Solana Beach, joined the Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach on Friday, Sept. 25.
Kousser brings more than 20 years of experience in government and nonprofit work to the club of about 30 members, according to a welcome post on the club's website. The club said her government and nonprofit background fits Rotary's service mission.
Kousser is a Torrey Pines High School graduate. She holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Boston College, according to her Casa de Amistad staff biography. She specializes in performance auditing, public policy analysis and program evaluation.
Kousser joined Casa de Amistad in August 2025. The Solana Beach nonprofit, located at 120 Stevens Ave., was founded as an outreach program in 1997 and became a 501(c)(3) in 2001.
Casa de Amistad reports that it serves 255 students in kindergarten through 12th grade each week with free academic mentoring from more than 225 volunteers. The organization says 96% of its students graduate high school and all enroll in post-secondary education. Its Future Leaders Scholarship Program has distributed more than $300,000.
The two organizations already overlap. Club members helped with a Casa de Amistad back-to-school backpack distribution on Thursday, Aug. 20.
District Governor Jeb Bakke, Membership Director Susan Hennenfent and Community Service Director Vicky Mallett joined Kousser for the induction ceremony.
The Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach, established in 1992, meets Friday mornings at the Hilton Del Mar from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Jason Strayer serves as the club's current president.
Upcoming community calendar
- The Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach meets every Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Del Mar for service planning, guest speakers and fellowship.
