Katelyn Liesner
Environmental Policy And Civil Rights Specialist
Alexandria,Virginia
Summary
Award-winning project manager with expertise in policy research and analysis, strategic planning, compliance efforts, and stakeholder communication. I've significantly contributed to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by analyzing policies, enforcing federal civil rights statutes, leading case investigations, and negotiating compliance agreements. My expertise in project management and exceptional communication skills have driven successful programmatic strategies and innovative problem-solving approaches across multiple federal agencies and non-profit organizations.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Equal Opportunity Specialist
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
06.2024 - Current
- Enforce and implement federal civil rights statutes and implementing regulations (e.g., Title VI, Section 504) in support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mission at DOT.
- Analyze civil rights policy and programmatic issues related to strategic planning and guidance on behalf of the Office of Civil Rights (NCR) at NHTSA.
- Serve as a lead case manager to investigate civil rights complaints that allege discrimination in violation of federal civil rights laws, which includes developing investigative plans and reports, conducting case interviews, and drafting determination letters.
- Negotiate voluntary compliance agreements with recipients of NHTSA's federal financial assistance ("recipients") when there are determined violations of federal civil rights laws.
- Lead stakeholder engagement efforts with recipients, including technical assistance webinars and calls on federal civil rights requirements.
- Develop internal protocols and procedures, as well as refine case database, to support NCR's Title VI program.
Program Analyst
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
08.2021 - 06.2024
- Analyzed environmental justice, civil rights and environmental policy and programmatic issues related to strategic planning and guidance in support of the EPA's Office of External Civil Rights Compliance (OECRC).
- Served as a lead case manager to direct a team comprised of EPA legal and technical experts, external contractors, and other federal agencies.
- Negotiated informal resolution agreements with recipients of EPA federal financial assistance and key external stakeholders as part of the case investigation and resolution process.
- Conducted case investigations, including research on the facts of the case and background on relevant state and federal laws and regulations, investigative plans, and preliminary findings of law or fact.
- Developed and executed task orders with OECRC's Contracting Officer Representative (COR).
- Developed and executed outreach strategies with local community members as part of on-site visits.
- Presented briefings to senior leadership on complex and difficult policy and programmatic issues.
- Provided technical assistance to recipients of EPA federal financial assistance
- Created internal protocols and developed staff training curricula to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of case investigations and resolutions.
Development Manager
CDP North America
06.2018 - 08.2021
- Developed strategies to support CDP North America's mission and philanthropic efforts, which focused on environmental disclosure, business norms, climate commitments, sustainable supply chains, and net-zero policies.
- Led the development of proposals and program budgets with CDP programmatic and financial team leads in North America and Europe.
- Championed a culture of innovation within CDP's Global Development team by encouraging experimentation with new technologies or approaches to problem-solving, including the establishment of a grants management system.
- Designed outreach strategies and stewardship efforts with prospective and current high-level donors.
- Directed pre- to post-award activities for grant contracts, including the oversight of procurement processes for consultants and sub-grantees.
Coordinator
Rainforest Alliance
06.2016 - 05.2018
- Led the implementation of Rainforest Alliance's post-award grant management and compliance efforts for all philanthropic and government-funded contracts on behalf of the Institutional Relations (IR) team.
- Managed Rainforest Alliance's global programmatic and finance staff to ensure timely project delivery in accordance with philanthropic grant and budget requirements.
- Entered data, generated reports, and produced tracking documents for IR's senior leadership team, including revenue tracking and budget forecasts.
- Reviewed new contracts in collaboration with Rainforest Alliance's legal team and supported IR portfolio managers in contract negotiation.
- Improved team productivity with regular communication and progress updates, fostering a collaborative work environment.
Education
Master of Environmental Management - Environmental Policy And Analysis
Yale University
New Haven, CT 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies
St. John's University
Queens, NY 05.2001 -
Skills
Policy analysis
Project management
Stakeholder relations
Excellent communication
Investigation techniques
Compliance monitoring
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving abilities
Timeline
Equal Opportunity Specialist
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
06.2024 - Current
Program Analyst
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
08.2021 - 06.2024
Development Manager
CDP North America
06.2018 - 08.2021
Coordinator
Rainforest Alliance
06.2016 - 05.2018
Master of Environmental Management - Environmental Policy And Analysis
Yale University
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Environmental Studies
St. John's University
05.2001 -
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