Kathleen Banfield serves as Vice President of Community Engagement and Advocacy. In this role, she ensures that Catalyst's policy, programmatic, and research efforts are grounded in the perspectives and authentic needs of communities across Virginia.

Kathleen's career has spanned multiple sectors and focused on advancing social impact and equitable health outcomes through direct programs, grantmaking, research, partnerships, and systems-building initiatives. At The Food Project, Kathleen designed and implemented community programs to strengthen food security in Boston neighborhoods in collaboration with youth and residents. In her work in higher education and philanthropy, she describes community engagement as the north star guiding strategy and impact. Most recently, Kathleen led a multi-state region at Unite Us, a tech start-up, where she oversaw the development of digitally-powered coordinated care networks that link health and social care providers so that patients can more easily and effectively connect to community resources.

Kathleen earned her undergraduate degree from Emmanuel College and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Old Dominion University. She lives in Norfolk, Virginia, and she and her wife are proud parents to three children, including twins. Kathleen enjoys soccer, gardening, and all things outdoors.