Kat is an environmental scientist and marine policy professional with a deep commitment to Tribal and Indigenous engagement. She holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Bren School at UC Santa Barbara, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Connecticut. Her academic foundation is complemented by a passion for creating collaborative and respectful partnerships in the environmental science and policy realm.

Her work focuses on ensuring free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is central to marine science projects. Kat advocates for engagement that goes beyond a legal requirement, striving to ensure Tribal and Indigenous peoples are engaged in ways they find justified. A core part of her mission is to see this work directly shape the development of new policies in the environmental space, ensuring that the rights and perspectives of communities are prioritized from the outset.

Kat believes that effective partnerships are built on a foundation of mutual respect, where collaborations lead to improved environmental health and create meaningful social, economic, and cultural opportunities. She is dedicated to bridging scientific imperatives with community wisdom to ensure that conservation is not only successful but also equitable, inclusive, and community-driven.