Kathryn M. Walden
Little Rock,Arkansas
Summary
Detail-oriented Legislative Fiscal Analyst with 15 years of experience in the Arkansas General Assembly. Skilled in collaboration, analytical thinking, and effective communication, successfully presenting budget data and drafting agency appropriations to drive legislative initiatives.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Legislative State Budget Expert
Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research
Little Rock, AR
09.2009 - Current
- Nonpartisan staff for the Arkansas General Assembly.
- Present budget information annually to the Joint Budget Committee of the Arkansas General Assembly.
- Draft agency appropriation bills, as well as the surplus funding allocation bill.
- Committee staff for the Review Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council.
- Monitor ongoing agency expenditures, and perform ongoing expenditure analysis.
- Perform research, and coordinate agency responses to legislative requests for information.
- Assist the Research Division in the completion of the Educational Adequacy Study.
- Provide staff training on the history of the Bureau, the legislative process, as well as the function of the Review Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council.
- Agencies assigned during employment: Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health, Department of Career Education, Department of Workforce Services, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Department of Arkansas Heritage.
- Graduate of the Bureau's first Aspiring Leader Program.
- Bureau Ambassador for the Fiscal Division, assisting with the onboarding of new employees.
- Served on two committees of Executive and Legislative Staff to assist with the drafting and implementation of the Arkansas LEARNS initiative, and the creation of the Captive Insurance Program.
- Presented a special report to the Educational Adequacy Committee on the growing balances of the Department of Education, 2017.
- Compiled a comprehensive report of state grant funding available to the public for legislators to distribute to districts.
- Collaborated with legislative staff to clarify fiscal impacts of policy changes.
Management Analyst
Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
Little Rock, AR
07.2008 - 09.2009
- Performed quality assurance and performance research for the Arkansas TANF Grant Program.
- Evaluate TANF case managers through group and individual interviews, and case file reviews.
- Draft full reports of all local office reviews, identifying deficiencies in case management, reporting service integration, staff concerns, and policy issues to DWS senior management.
- Interview TANF clients to assess overall satisfaction with the Arkansas TANF Grant Programs.
- Evaluated program effectiveness and recommended improvements for efficiency.
Education
Master of Public Administration -
University of Arkansas Little Rock
Little Rock, AR01.2009
Bachelor of Science - Public Administration, Political Science, Music
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR01.2007
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite proficiency
- Adobe Acrobat proficiency
- Arkansas Administrative Statewide Information System proficiency
- Collaboration with Colleagues and Executive Staff
- Process Training
- Budget analysis
- Legislative research
- Expenditure tracking
- Strong research and analysis skills
- Budget monitoring
- Effective communication
- Compiling data
Affiliations
- Ordained Deacon at Second Baptist Church - Downtown Little Rock
- Scouting America - Assistant Den Leader - Pack 24 Natural State Council
Timeline
Legislative State Budget Expert
Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research
09.2009 - Current
Management Analyst
Arkansas Department of Workforce Services
07.2008 - 09.2009
Master of Public Administration -
University of Arkansas Little Rock
Bachelor of Science - Public Administration, Political Science, Music
University of Arkansas