Kay Matthews is the Founder and Executive Director of The Shades of Blue Project, a national maternal mental health organization that focuses on people first and performance second. With a strong belief in building solutions that truly serve communities, she has dedicated her career to transforming complex problems into clear, achievable outcomes. Over the years, she has led cross functional teams, scaled programs from pilot stages to replicable models, and consistently centered her work around compassion and measurable change. Her journey reflects not just leadership, but a deep understanding of how empathy and structure can coexist to create meaningful impact.
Kay’s inspiration came from recognizing that while data provides structure, it often misses the deeper human story behind the numbers. She saw the need to combine evidence with empathy to help organizations deliver high quality, culturally responsive care. This realization led to the founding of The Shades of Blue Project, which bridges the gap between knowledge and compassion. Her approach ensures that organizations focus not only on improving mental health services but also on engaging communities in creating sustainable, inclusive solutions.
What makes Kay’s work stand out is her dual emphasis on compassion centered training and community infrastructure. The organization’s signature I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Method Training promotes evidence informed, culturally responsive practices, offering a Certified Community Maternal Mental Health Specialist pathway. Complementing this is the INSPIRE Method Resource Hub, an online platform that provides accessible tools, training materials, and community support at scale. Together, these initiatives turn awareness into capability, ensuring that care systems are not only informed but also human centered and actionable.
The challenges Kay faced in building her organization were significant. Stigma, mistrust, and limited access to care in certain communities made it difficult to reach those most in need. Instead of seeing these as barriers, she turned them into opportunities for connection by bringing resources directly to people. Through peer support groups, community based training for doulas, midwives, and clinicians, and strong partnerships with local organizations, The Shades of Blue Project has created trusted spaces for healing. The recognition of their I.N.S.P.I.R.E. training by external task forces shows that community wisdom can successfully reshape larger systems.
Among her many accomplishments, Kay takes the greatest pride in watching her team members grow into leaders themselves. Many who began as volunteers have now become program directors and project leads. For her, leadership is not about titles or recognition but about creating opportunities for others to rise. Her success is measured not by personal accolades but by the impact of those she has mentored and supported. She finds fulfillment in seeing others make their own difference in the world.
Looking ahead, Kay sees the maternal and perinatal mental health field evolving toward continuous, culturally grounded care rather than limited screening moments. The future will demand integrated models that combine medical expertise with community partnership and measurable outcomes. Her organization’s work in this area is setting the standard for what accessible, inclusive care should look like in the years to come.
Innovation and technology also play a vital role in her mission. Through digital platforms like the INSPIRE Method Resource Hub, her team can extend culturally centered resources nationwide, helping families and professionals access training and support easily. Technology enables The Shades of Blue Project to collect feedback, protect privacy, and improve content while keeping humans at the center of every decision. Kay views technology as a teammate rather than a replacement, continuously refining systems to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
Her leadership style is trauma informed and community driven. She believes in listening first, co designing solutions with those affected, and being transparent about decisions. For Kay, effective leadership means setting goals that prioritize safety, trust, and long term skill building. She empowers her teams to take ownership, ensuring that progress continues beyond her direct involvement.
To young professionals and entrepreneurs, she advises building with communities instead of for them, documenting methods, and balancing both data and dignity. She encourages them to protect their energy, seek mentors who challenge them, and let lived experiences drive innovation.
Looking to the future, Kay aims to expand the I.N.S.P.I.R.E. training program and the Certified Community Maternal Mental Health Specialist pathway, deepen partnerships with healthcare systems, and scale the Resource Hub to reach more families and frontline workers. Her ultimate vision is to create sustainable, compassionate systems that prioritize people’s well being, ensuring every community has access to quality, culturally relevant mental health care.