Kate Owens

As a Legislative Research Assistant, Kate supports Lewis-Burke by conducting research and tracking legislative developments to provide clients with actionable insights in the environment, health, and agriculture policy areas. She brings a strong background in environmental policy and regulatory affairs, along with hands-on experience in both the public and private sectors. The agencies Kate primarily covers are the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Issue Expertise: Environment, health, agriculture

Additional Experience: Prior to joining Lewis-Burke, Kate served as a Corporate Sustainability Intern with MITRE, where she managed the company-wide greenhouse gas inventory and strengthened employee engagement with sustainable initiatives. Previously, Kate interned at CropLife America as a Science and Regulatory Affairs Intern, where she synthesized EPA regulatory updates and wrote newsletters for stakeholders. On campus, she was a Peer Leader with the Office of Sustainability, leading projects on environmental justice, and making events on campus more sustainable.

Vital Statistics: Kate grew up in Arlington, VA outside of Washington, DC. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a minor in climate and society earning summa cum laude honors and leadership distinction in civic and professional engagement. She also studied abroad at the University of Dubrovnik in Croatia, widening her global perspective and inspiring her love for travel. Kate enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, painting, and eating sushi.