Growing up, both of Kate’s parents were newspaper reporters, and family dinner conversations often included discussions of events happening at the local, state, and national levels. She learned early on that the policies our elected officials enact have powerful, long-lasting effects on communities and people. Kate’s first job was as a seventh-grade public school teacher in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Atlanta. After graduating from Harvard Law School, she worked as a judicial clerk in the federal courts; a legal consultant for states, school districts, colleges, and nonprofit organizations on efforts to improve outcomes for children and students; and as the Chief Legal Counsel at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. Prior to joining the State House, Kate was a Melrose City Councilor-At-Large where she raised the bar for resident engagement, created and served as the liaison to the School Committee, and oversaw the City Council’s budget process.