Kathy Kuras doubles as an independent filmmaker and long-time leader with the Y, pioneering the first video storytelling production department for the YMCA national office. In 2011, Kathy co-founded Vanguard Muse, an independent music and film company, with Sami Grisafe. Vanguard Muse’s first studio album, ATLANTIS, received 6 Grammy pre-nominations. In 2021, Kathy received the Breaking Barriers Award from the Women’s Football Alliance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Stadium for her work on her first feature documentary film, OPEN FIELD, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2020. OPEN FIELD has garnered awards at festivals across the U.S. including Best Documentary (Berkshires, Alexandria, Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, SoCal Film Awards), Audience Award (Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, Riverside) and Best Feature (U.N. Women’s Through Women’s Eyes). Kathy resides in Austin, TX, where she is the President & CEO of the YMCA of Austin.