Katie is a life-long animal advocate specializing in government and public affairs, media relations, and advocate engagement. For the last decade, Katie worked at the Humane Society of the United States, serving in a variety of roles. Most recently, as Regional Director overseeing a territory of ten states and guiding priority policy initiatives for the organization. Prior to that, Katie was the Texas State Director and successfully worked to pass laws and increase enforcement on the issues of puppy mills, animal fighting, the shark fin trade, bestiality, animal cruelty, and exotic animal ownership and abuse. She works with local city governments to pass meaningful ordinances to help animals and recently helped pass an ordinance in San Antonio banning the retail sale of dogs and cats in pet stores. She currently serves as Mayor Adler’s appointee to the Austin Animal Advisory Commission and the District 8 appointee to the San Antonio Animal Care Services Advisory Board. She has managed on-the-ground responses to large-scale cruelty investigations and disaster response operations in Texas, including HSUS’ response to Hurricane Harvey. Katie is a proud Longhorn, having received her degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in San Antonio with her husband and two dogs, Bella and Yuci.