Ailala Kay (she/her) | Director | akay@omni.org
Ailala Kay is a Director at OMNI Institute and oversees our Learning and Development practice area. Over the course of her nearly 20-year career at OMNI, she has gained deep knowledge of Colorado communities through her expertise in organizational development and coalition building; strategic planning and facilitation of group processes; community engagement, outreach and collaboration; and utilizing technology-based solutions to foster more effective collaboration and project performance.
For over a decade, Ailala has overseen the Statewide Substance Use Prevention Change Coach Project funded by the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, providing training, planning, and facilitation to support public health prevention efforts across the state. She also has worked with nonprofit organizations and other public agencies on planning, facilitation, and training projects that center health equity and inclusive engagement.
Ailala is an Erickson Accredited Coach, a certified Substance Use Prevention Specialist Trainer (SAPST), a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) facilitator, and is trained in Social Emotional Intelligence, Trauma-Informed Care, Effective Facilitator Strategies, Keys to Sustainability (CAPT), and Communities that Care. Ailala was a key contributor to the launch of Colorado’s Certified Prevention Specialist II credential and is a founding member and former chair of the Colorado Prevention Certification Board. She has been a member of the American Society of Training & Development for over a decade.
Previously, Ailala worked in direct youth services and as a Rural Child Health worker in Thailand as a Peace Corps Volunteer. She lives in Denver, CO, with her family.
CONTENT EXPERTISE
Learning and Development
Community Health
EDUCATION
University of Colorado
M.A., Political Science
University of Colorado
B.A., Sociology
+ Certifications & Training
- Erickson Accredited Coach (2023)
- Fundamentals of Facilitation for Racial Justice Work (2022)
- Trauma-Informed Practices, Trainer, 2019
- Myers-Briggs Certified Facilitator (2015)
- Colorado Certified Prevention Specialist II (2013)
- Certified Substance Abuse Skills Trainer (2012)
- The Effective Facilitator Certificate training, 2012 Communities That Care, SAMHSA (2007
- Community Readiness Training, Tri-Ethnic Center (2004)
+ Memberships
- American Society of Training & Development member (2010-Present)
- Colorado Prevention Certification Board Member (2011-2019) and Board Chair (2015-2019)
+ Selected Presentations
- “Tips & Tools for Planning on Sustainability and Funding,” Shared Risk & Protective Factor Conference (2023)
- “Engaging Rural Communities,” Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center Training Series (PTTC). (2021)
- “Health Equity in Prevention Part 1 & 2,” Northwest Prevention Technology Transfer Center Training Series (PTTC). (2020)
- “Using Trauma-Informed Strategies as Primary Prevention for Substance Use Among Youth in Schools.” Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health, (2019)
- “Colorado’s Data-Driven Evidence-Based Process and Toolkit for Improved Community-Level Outcomes in Juvenile Justice” Coalition for Juvenile Justice's Annual Conference (2018)
- “Evidence-Based Practices & Programs: Collaborative Community-Based Data-Driven Decision-Making Process” National Prevention Symposium on Juvenile Services (2016)
- “Bridging Research & Practice, Implementing Logic Models: How Do We Keep the Process Going?” National Prevention Network Conference (2004)