Katie Kuka

Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives

Why LEO?

“I joined LEO because I believe people living in poverty deserve better. It’s unjust to continue resourcing programs that might work in the fight against poverty when we have the ability to determine which programs do work. It’s a privilege to support the research that allows us to serve our most vulnerable in the most effective way possible. 

My job has a lot of moving parts, and I love fitting all of the pieces together-- operationalizing a big-picture strategy, balancing a budget, finding the just-right person to add to our team. I also love the people. Our team is comprised of some of the most brilliant, humble, hardworking, and fun people I’ve ever known.”

Bio

From finances, personnel, and fund development to systems and processes, Katie oversees the administrative side of LEO. She also works closely with LEO’s  Managing Director to set strategic priorities and implement our strategic plan. Earlier in her career, Katie served as a Senior Auditor for Arthur Andersen, LLP, a Financial Projects Manager at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, and later as a Philanthropic Impact Manager at JD Levy & Associates, an organizational development consulting firm that serves nonprofit organizations. She received her BBA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and her MPA in Public Affairs from Indiana University.