Before joining the Baker team, Catherine completed a ten year tenure in Texas State government where she successfully developed funding initiatives for the Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program. One of her accomplishments as a federal funds manager was the development of the Medicaid Developmental Rehabilitation Program for an increase of 7.5 million dollars in federal funding. She also successfully negotiated contracts for increased third party reimbursement from Medicaid managed care organizations, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers and private insurance companies. Catherine also provided technical assistance and training services to a diverse group of service providers such as private non-profit health care agencies, Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MHMR) centers, and Independent School Districts resulting in increased performance with contract deliverables.

Prior to working with ECI, Catherine worked as a Disability Examiner where she reviewed medical records and adjudicated claims for Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income benefits. While working as a disability examiner, Catherine received many honors and awards including induction into the Disability Determination Services Circle of Excellence Awards Program. Prior to working in State government, Catherine worked in program management and social services for agencies such as Planned Parenthood of Austin and The Children’s Trust Fund of Texas.

Catherine attended Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas where she double majored in Psychology and Spanish. Upon graduation she moved to Austin, Texas where she now lives with her husband and two young children. Catherine’s leisure activities include traveling and watching NCAA football and basketball as well as NBA events.