Kate manages strategic partnerships on behalf of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Through its work with public and private sector partners, the IEC nurtures and brings economically viable cleantech innovations to market by leveraging the world class capabilities at NREL and other labs, and through facilitating connections to its motivated industry and investor network. Prior to this role, Kate co-founded and managed the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) program, a $50 million philanthropic program and platform to spur innovation and technology adoption of early-stage clean technology companies. This public-private partnership has supported more than 45 clean energy startups, engaged more than 60 incubator/accelerator and university partners, and has gone on to raise more than $380 million in external capital. Kate also managed NREL’s Investor Advisory Board and further supports tech to market activities and the sustainability ecosystem by sitting on other boards, including the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and the Colorado Cleantech Industries Association. Prior to joining NREL, Kate worked as a lobbying professional on the Health and Life Sciences Practice group at Faegre Drinker Consulting (formerly B&D Consulting) in Washington, D.C. Kate’s background also includes various positions in the U.S. House of Representatives. Kate has a B.A. degree in Economics from Colorado State University and an MBA from Denver’s Daniels College of Business.