Katie Barnum

• MA, International Affairs (Concentration: Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy, Specialization: Conflict Resolution), Columbia School of International and Public Affairs
• BA, Economics (Minor: Education), Mount Holyoke College 

Katie has been working on the Community Funding Accelerator (CFA) team. CFA uplifts promising and innovative ideas to scale impact, deepen connections between education and workforce, and improve economic mobility through demystifying federal grants, delivering technical assistance, and driving implementation to scale innovative education and workforce solutions in communities across the US. 

Most recently, she helped develop equitable and inclusive applications for the Economic Development Administration's Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (Tech Hubs) grant. The Tech Hubs grant is an economic development initiative meant to foster regional innovation through critical technologies. Working with teams in Utah and Colorado, Katie focused on K-12 education; workforce development; and diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB). She brought together diverse partners to design strategies for transforming access and opportunity in an advanced technology workforce.

Prior to joining DA, Katie worked in international education and development where she collaborated with civil society, national non-profits, and international organizations. Though she developed a breadth of deliverables through this work, she is most proud of the strong relationships she built with her teams. By thoughtfully collaborating and listening to those around her, Katie strengthened her ability to be creative, have fun, and find sustainable solutions for impactful change.