As Chief Operating Officer and Associate Vice Chancellor, Kate provides executive leadership, strategic planning, and operational direction to advance the fundraising priorities of University Advancement & Alumni Relations. She oversees a broad portfolio that includes annual giving, gift administration, UC Irvine Foundation finance and business operations, human resources, the Center for Emeriti and Retirees, special events and protocol, digital transformation and innovation, communications and marketing, corporate and foundation relations, prospect development, and external affairs.

Kate brings a comprehensive, enterprise-level perspective to advancement services, ensuring the effective management, analysis, and application of data to inform institutional strategy and support the engagement and stewardship of stakeholders and donors.

Her professional background spans the public and private sectors, with leadership roles in government relations and public affairs at the Arizona Department of Commerce, Parsons Corporation, Walt Disney Imagineering, Disneyland Resort, KB Home, the California Apartment Association, and the Orange County Business Council. At UC Irvine, she previously served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and Chief of Staff within the Strategic Communications and Public Affairs division, and most recently as Chief Administrative Officer and Director of External Relations for UCI Beall Applied Innovation.

Kate has been recognized for her leadership and service as the 74th Assembly District Woman of the Year (2016), named one of OC Metro’s “20 Women to Watch,” and nominated three times for the Orange County Business Journal’s “Women in Business Awards.” She was appointed by UC President Janet Napolitano to serve a two-year term as one of two Staff Advisors to the UC Regents. In addition to her professional commitments, she remains actively involved in the community and currently serves on the boards of OC Forum and 211OC Leadership Council.