Katie Ulvestad

Katie Ulvestad is a strategist and innovator who has over 25 years of experience in the social sector and currently directs the social investments of the Thompson Family Foundation, a private foundation focused on finding solutions to complex problems in the US and abroad. 

As a former executive director of a humanitarian organization with programs in Tibet, Katie has led both nonprofit and philanthropic efforts to meet the changing needs of the social sector. Her experience is diverse, ranging from winning campaigns related to water governance in the West, to building a microfinance program in Bolivia. Katie currently leads several philanthropic initiatives related to K-12 education, healthcare, neurodiversity, and humanitarian relief. She also started two businesses and worked as a strategic consultant in the private sector.

Katie is a native Californian, was educated at Stanford University and the University of San Francisco and played water polo in college.  She serves on the advisory board of the Thompson Policy Institute at Chapman University and is a volunteer for Make A Wish.