[SANTA BARBARA, CA, July 29] — ICTG welcomes Renee Carmichael as Communications Director.

“Nonprofit leaders are always on the lookout for those remarkable individuals who don’t just share passion for mission,” says the Institute’s Executive Director Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe. “They bring strong skills, self-initiative, and creative ingenuity to seeking solutions to complex challenges. Renee is one of those gifted individuals.”

Renee began part time with ICTG in an interim role to assess communication practices and strategize a growth plan. Her work also included helping with the 1/9 Montecito Debris Flow memorial event Raising Our Light in Montecito. She created a digital program, eliminating waste at the event, assisted the planning group with marketing, and also designed the Raising Our Light logo.

“The work of ICTG, which Renee will oversee as Communication Director, focuses on streamlining internal and external messaging in ways that people coming through chaos can easily understand,” said Wiebe. 

​Renee brings over a decade of successful communications experience ranging from startups to corporations. Beginning her career in an integrated communications team, and most recently working in visual communications as a designer and art director, Renee felt drawn to using the skills she has gained in these arenas to develop models for community care after crises.

“This is a very skilled and dedicated group. It’s been inspiring to watch ICTG locally, in the Santa Barbara area, and nationally as we’ve seen a truly unprecedented string of disasters unfold,” said Renee. “I’m honored to be a part of this important work.”

​About ICTG
Through the generosity of individuals, families, and granting organizations, the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG), a 501(c)(3) organization, provides education, coaching, and therapeutic services for leaders to address long-term care needs after disaster.


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For questions, contact  Renee Carmichael, Communications Director at [email protected].

SANTA BARBARA –  ICTG is rebranding and expanding in recognition of its focus on whole community care and support to leaders of all kinds. The new corporate name is Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth, replacing the former name: Institute for Congregational Trauma.

"Our new name better reflects the work we are already doing in resourcing both faith-based and community-based leaders after disaster,” said ICTG’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Kate Wiebe.

When ICTG started six years ago, the emphasis was on resourcing faith leaders, including providing essential education about ACEs and building a trauma-informed ministry. Over the years, more and more schools and nonprofits recognized the value of ICTG’s services.

“We initially focused on providing education, coaching, and therapeutic services for faith leaders because we knew from experience a significant portion of communities affected by disaster turn first to their faith leaders for support and that many faith leaders feel unequipped to respond to the full scope of needs within a congregation after a community-wide disaster, “ said Kate, “Our services helped more faith leaders come to the long-term recovery table, as well as increase their understanding of how to better care for themselves, their families, and their parishioners.”

Following the historic disaster season throughout the country in the last six months, including the wildfires and debris flows in ICTG’s backyard of Montecito, CA, more community leaders, including those outside the congregational setting, sought ICTG education, coaching, and therapeutic services.

“We have seen that the same tools that have proved to be so essential to faith leaders are just as helpful to other types of community leaders,” said Kate.

Through education and coaching, the ICTG team hopes to help both community-based and faith-based leaders break down silos and work across professions after disasters.

“Our ultimate goal is to expand whole community care after disasters and it’s time to name the growth we have achieved,” said Kate.


About ICTG
Through the generosity of individuals, families, and granting organizations, the Institute for Collective Trauma and Growth (ICTG), a 501(c)(3) organization, provides education, coaching, and therapeutic services for leaders to address long-term care needs after disaster.


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For questions, contact  Renee Carmichael, Communications Director at [email protected].