Inside Kairos: The Perspectives Shaping Our Work

At Kairos, our work is rooted in relationships with communities, with partners, and with each other. The way we show up for our clients is shaped by who we are as people: what drives us, what grounds us, and what we’re paying attention to in the world.

In this spotlight, we’re hearing directly from two team members who bring both depth and clarity to our work every day: Andrea Vaudrey, Director of Operations, and Grace Granados, Communications Strategist.

Andrea Vaudrey, Director of Operations

What do you hope your work contributes to in the long term?
I hope that our work at Kairos contributes to lasting, meaningful improvements in people’s lives, systems, and communities, especially for those who are marginalized, oppressed, or in need. Being able to identify the right moments and opportunities to create positive change for an entire community is a privilege I deeply value, and it’s core to how I think about this work.

What’s something people might not guess about you from your professional bio?
I have the privilege of teaching theology at Azusa Pacific University. I really enjoy helping students develop the ability to think critically about the world and engage meaningfully with one another. Regardless of their background or beliefs, everyone carries some form of theology, and it’s rewarding to help students build the kind of thinking skills that shape them into more thoughtful, compassionate people.

If you could instantly solve one problem in the world, what would it be?
Hunger and access to clean water. So much of our decision-making, energy, focus, and overall health depends on whether we have the nutrients we need. If people didn’t have to worry about securing enough food and water, they could direct their energy toward improving their lives and supporting others.

What’s a book, podcast, or piece of writing that’s shaped how you think about change?
One of my favorite theologians is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He spoke out often for systemic change. One of his quotes that stays with me is: “We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.” I revisit his work every year, and it continues to challenge me.

What’s one small thing that reliably brings you joy during the week?
My nighttime routine with my kids. Those few minutes with each of them, reading together or just talking, really matter. It gives them space to share what’s on their minds, and it’s something I look forward to every day.

Grace Granados, Communications Strategist

What first pulled you toward social change work?
I can’t say I’ve ever fully thought of it as “social change work,” but I’ve always been aware that people move through the world with very different levels of access and opportunity. Over time, that awareness turned into a desire to do work that helps close those gaps.

What I learned early in my career is that supporting the organizations driving change, helping them communicate clearly, connect with the right audiences, and navigate complex challenges, is just as important as being boots on the ground. What keeps me in it is seeing it actually work. Watching a story land with the right people at the right moment, and knowing it moved something forward, even a little, makes it worth it.

What do you hope your work contributes to in the long term?
I hope my work moves things forward in ways that are real and lasting, even when they’re small. Communications work rarely gets the credit when something goes right, and I’ve made peace with that. What matters to me is that the clients we work with have what they need to be heard, to build trust, and to keep going.

If a program sustains funding, a community feels seen, or a leader finds their footing because of work we did together, then I’ve done something right. 

What perspective or experience do you bring to the Kairos team that shapes how you approach the work?
My experience is rooted in strategic communications, but what’s shaped me most is the type of work I’ve done. I’ve spent years working on issues like housing insecurity and workforce development, work where the stakes are real, and the audiences aren’t just consumers, they’re communities.

I know how to move fast and keep complex projects on track, but I also know why the work matters. That combination is what I try to bring to the team every day. 

What’s something people might not guess about you from your professional bio?
There’s a nail polish brand out there with photos of my hands in their archives. Beyond that, I’m someone who tends to show up fully once I’m in the room, maybe not all at once, but genuinely. I ask a lot of questions before I make noise, and I’d rather earn trust than assume it.



What’s one small thing that reliably brings you joy during the week?
Sunshine on my skin, hands down. If the sun is out and I can be in it, even for a few minutes, something in me resets. My cats are fully aligned with this, I call it “cuddle o’clock,” and it’s the best part of my week.