Katie launched her career as the Deputy Director for Economic Development for the city of Springfield, MA, where she successfully designed and implemented the city’s first environmental planning program which became a focus for public health and community nutrition. She was then the Executive Director for the Holyoke Innovation District, leveraging investments for sustained local revitalization, a new culinary school in downtown Holyoke, a community-based entrepreneurship program, and creative and arts entrepreneurship training. She then served in the Baker administration as the Commonwealth’s first “Tech, Innovation and Entrepreneurship” Assistant Secretary, leading competitiveness strategies for Massachusetts on technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Economic Development and Chief Economic Development Officer for the University of Massachusetts’ five campuses.