Cat McKay: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Their Work
At Power to Decide, we’re committed to improving reproductive well-being for all. To fulfill that mission our staff is full of passionate people who are committed to providing trusted information, expanding access to quality services, and catalyzing culture change. Read on to meet a member of our staff because behind every initiative, resource, and advocacy effort, there’s a real person making it happen.
Cat McKay (she/hers)
Senior Manager, Social Media
What’s your role at Power to Decide and what brought you to our organization?
I’ve held a few roles at the organization, and I currently serve as the Senior Manager of Social Media on the Communications & Marketing Team. I started at Power to Decide back in 2018 as a Digital Media Fellow just a few months after graduating from George Mason University. During my time with the organization, I’ve helped shape the voice of our brands across our platforms, helped launch new channels and campaigns, and worked to make sure our content cuts through the noise with clarity, credibility, and a touch of personality.
What fuels your passion for advancing reproductive well-being?
Lately, I’ve been especially driven by the need to push back against the wave of birth control mis- and disinformation growing on social media. One recent study found that nearly 75% of sampled YouTube creators talking about birth control encouraged people to stop using it. And, an even more recent study of content on TikTok showed that almost half of the posts about birth control promoted similar messages, often listing dozens of supposed negative side effects of hormonal methods. With so much misinformation to navigate, our work to reach young people with reliable resources feels even more important.
In the last year, what work at Power to Decide excited you most?
One of my favorite moments this past year was watching a TikTok video I created for Bedsider go viral. While binging the Grey's Anatomy spin-off Station 19, I saw a powerful scene that called out the dangers of crisis pregnancy centers and had the idea to revisit it on our channel. I stitched the clip with an explainer to help viewers understand how these fake clinics differ from legitimate abortion providers and how to find trusted care using our AbortionFinder.org database. The video took off fast, hitting over 3.7 million views and sparking hundreds of comments from people sharing their own experiences being tricked by crisis pregnancy centers. It was a reminder that when we meet people with honest, relevant content where they already are, it can really hit home.
What’s a piece of behind-the-scenes work with Power to Decide that you’re proud of?
Bringing the Instagram Live conversation between CEO Dr. Raegan and Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star Briana DeJesus was really exciting! The live followed a new episode airing where Briana talks with her daughter about sex and puberty after getting advice from Dr. Raegan. I coordinated logistics and content behind the scenes to make sure the live event felt like a natural, meaningful extension of the episode. It was exciting to see so many people engage in real time and so rewarding to help create a space where these conversations could reach a wider audience.
Can you name one thing outside of work that gives you joy?
Taylor Swift! I will always admire her strength and resilience. Whether it's waiting for her next music release or para-socially celebrating her latest achievement, I find a lot of joy in what she offers the world. I went to my first Taylor Swift concert back in 2009, have seen every tour in every era since then, and plan to attend each tour to come.
