About
Given the profound consequences of loneliness and isolation, we have an opportunity, and an obligation, to make the same investments in addressing social connection that we have made in addressing tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis. . .
If we fail to do so, we will pay an ever-increasing price in the form of our individual and collective health and well-being. And we will continue to splinter and divide until we can no longer stand as a community or a country. Instead of coming together to take on the great challenges before us, we will further retreat to our corners—angry, sick, and alone.
-Dr. Vivek H. Murthy 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States
Pollinate Foundation was founded to help support the therapeutic community building work initiated by what is known in the community as Pollinate Ritual. Pollinate Foundation opens additional doors of partnership for this important work via non-profit funding and deeper collaborative engagement among partners.
Pollinate was created in 2018 after a year long journey of discovery. This journey centered around over 70 conversations with professionals across disciplines working in human health, spiritual development and community building. The first project to be manifest from this seeking was the 2019 Pollinate Women’s Weekend. This weekend served 100 women over three days of respite, interplay with nature, intensive treatments from multiple healing arts practitioners and community building through the lost art of ritual.
Since that time Pollinate has developed multiple outlets of connection for our community (see current initiatives on the home page). We are constantly engaged in collaboration and development of new modalities to support and grow the connections that are so vital for our well being.
Meet the Pollinate Board
Jennifer Kotulski
Jennifer is a philanthropist with a passion for soul-centered community building. She believes that human connection is what sustains healthy lives and communities. An executive in the energy field for over 20 years, Jennifer lives in Denver with her husband Jonathan, three dogs and two cats.
Shariq Siddiqui
Shariq grew up in Pakistan, came to the US for college and stayed to make a life here, settling in St. Louis Missouri, where he is a software engineer and project manager in the online security industry. He is a Baba (Urdu for Dad) of two amazing young men and a devoted husband. Shariq is a seeker, foodie by nature, music lover , outdoor enthusiast, engineer and human with a deep passion for transformation and creating a compassionate world.
Sara Stibitz
Sara is a traveler of many dimensions, but currently her corporeal existence is centered in Des Moines, Iowa. She is a writer and a guide through the writer's journey for others that have a way with words. She has ghostwritten New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers and developed and edited dozens of self-published books. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Harvard Business Review, New York Magazine, The Des Moines Register, Spoilage Literary magazine, and many more. She has a spirited four year old named Lily and a partner-in-crime named Ryan, both of whom keep her on her toes. Her favorite authors are John Steinbeck, Paulo Coelho, and Edith Wharton, to name a few. You can keep me happy with spaghetti, chocolate, and tea, not necessarily together.
Meet the Implementers
Kathryn Dickel
Founder/Director
Kathryn is the Founder of Pollinate. Being a founder, business owner and community activist for over 20 years has given Kathryn a wealth of experience and resources to bring to her work at Pollinate. Her life experience and education has provided her opportunities to execute in the fields of culture, politics, business development, strategic planning, outreach, environment, messaging and healing. She has been a founder or founding member of dozens of mission driven projects. This work has lead to successful outcomes for individuals and organizations in start-up and renewal cycles. She is based in Des Moines and enjoys a full life as a mother, friend, writer and creator.
Kathryn provides the vision and management for all aspects of Pollinate’s work.
Christina Fernandez-Morrow
Partnership Director
Christina Fernandez-Morrow has a rich history of community service and activism in the non-profit and educational worlds. Christina launched the Latina Leadership Initiative to assist young women from Latine cultures in ascending to leadership roles in the community, as well as the Warren Morrow Latin Music Festival in honor of her late husband Warren. Christina has a passion for diversity and inclusion in education and has served students as both Des Monies University and Des Moines Area Community College.
Christina leads the vision and implementation of partnerships and collaborations for Pollinate.
Shannissy Catron
Director of Healing Arts
Shannissy is the founder of Wild Heart Body + Birthwork, which specializes in doula services and supportive, therapeutic massage. In 2023 Shannissy was honored by the Young Women’s Resource Center (YWRC) for her work with teen moms over the last seven years. She recently accepted the Doula Coordinator position at YWRC where she’s spearheading innovative doula practices that minimize burnout and maximize caregiving integration.
Shannissy has been the Director of Healing Arts for Pollinate Ritual since 2022. In her role as the Director of Healing Arts, Shannissy manages, leads and supports a dynamic group of healing arts practitioners as they positively impact the physical, mental and spiritual health of humans through Pollinate programming.
