Katherine graduated in 2004 from Northwestern University with a degree in Biomedical Engineering. Afterwards, she interned at the Center for International Rehabilitation developing prosthesis fitting and testing devices for developing countries. She then spent a year of AmeriCorps service at Habitat for Humanity in New York City, coordinating volunteers to build affordable housing. She went on to work for three years at Teach For America. As Design Director, she used technology to improve the recruitment staff’s training and efficiency. She created the team’s first online distance learning website and courses, as well as effective digital tools to help recruiters prioritize their time and gauge their performance. Then she moved to Namibia, Africa where she taught computer skills to high school students for a year. she also saw a need and developed and implemented a school-wide, digital grade reporting system. After teaching, she travelled through southern Africa and then Southeast Asia. In Thailand, she volunteered at an orphanage for several months. She built a first-ever English language website to draw donors, volunteers, and adoptive parents. She also rallied 20 past and present orphanage volunteers and to raise $3,000 together to sponsor the education of 10 children, exceeding their goal by 60 percent.