Seven questions with Kathleen Bellamano
October 19, 2023
Kathleen Bellamano is the current president of the UVic Alumni Association (UVAA). We caught up with Bellamano to ask a few questions about her volunteer work in the UVAA and her busy career.
Name: Kathleen “Kat” Bellamano
Hometown: Saanich, BC, on the traditional lands of the Songhees, Esquimalt and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.
UVic degree: BSW ’15.
Occupation: Registered social worker and dispute resolution professional in private practice.
1. You work a lot with families in private practice as a social worker. What is one piece of advice you would offer to families in terms of handling disputes?
If you are parents, put the needs of the children first. I know that’s easier said than done. If parents can remember that their children’s experiences and needs are different than their own and they can try to be flexible and remember that interparental conflict is really, really hard on kids, problems can begin to seem a lot more solvable. Another one is that you do not need to agree about the past to be able to make agreements for the future.
2. How long have you been part of the UVAA?
Since I graduated with my BSW in 2015.
3. What made you want to be involved?
I am not just a UVic alum, I live locally, so UVic is a big part of my community.
4. What is one thing you would you like to pursue/advance during your UVAA presidency?
Continuing the great work of my predecessors in helping the UVAA contribute to decolonization and representation of the diversity of both UVic alum and the community so we can be relevant and be of service to both.
5. What are three words you would choose to describe UVic?
Vibrant. Connected. Evolving.
6. You just had an afternoon meeting cancelled. What do you do with this gift of free time?
Take my dog for a walk.
