Katelyn R.

Background

About Katelyn R.

Do you have a blueprint for a brighter tomorrow? A yes-in-my-backyard (YIMBY) idea that's going to build a more resilient community? Let me help you make that future a reality.It is far too easy in the current climate to see nothing but a world on fire. We're facing massive interconnected issues that are overwhelming to think about. On the news, we see stories of violence and loss and injustice. In our neighborhoods, we know people who are struggling to juggle it all—those people might even be us. All of this is scary, and the fear divides us. We can overcome it together, but what takes a village also needs a vision—one cultivated from the ground up.The latest pivot in my early career has brought me back to the question: how do we identify, measure, and lead best-practice models that build community resilience? I'm pursuing a PhD in Public Affairs to discover answers, broadcast solutions, and build expertise in public policy, finance, and management. During this next phase, I'll draw from several years of experience turning imagination into action through public and community service, including:‍ The US Department of Energy, where I helped my team award 1483 eligible governments $362.188 million in funding that is going towards projects that will cut energy costs, build community resilience, fight climate change, and expand local workforces. During this time, I also earned my federal grants management certification and honed my expertise in utilizing the Microsoft Power Platform for data engineering, analysis, and quality assurance. The City of Hamilton, where I led engagement efforts to collect survey data, then synthesized 5411 qualitative responses into a report and presentation for municipal leadership. My summarized recommendations were adopted in the updated Comprehensive Plan and the graphics were utilized in City promotional videos. Ohio University, where I started my career by taking the phrase "be the change you want to see in the world" to heart: launching the first residential compost program; interviewing activists and experts while contributing to the Wilson Center’s New Security Beat and as editor-in-chief for an undergraduate sustainability news outlet; co-founding a network of change makers as an Environment and Sustainability Commissioner for the City of Athens; and researching the energy transition through the Voinovich Research Scholars Program, my undergraduate thesis, and an NSF-REU at Michigan State.