Otto Katt

Talent and Workforce Development Practice

As a former educator, Otto Katt brings a passion to his workforce and education policy and advocacy work in his Workforce Practice Group Chair role. In addition to those areas, he brings experience in immigration, economic development, research, and tax policy on behalf of Lewis-Burke clients.  Otto provides strategic guidance on legislative, administrative, and regulatory issues at the Department of Education (ED) and Department of Labor (DOL), in addition to other federal agencies.  He leverages his professional knowledge and expertise, gained while working in the K-12 space and at the state and federal policy level, to provide timely insight and support to a wide range of clients, including institutions and systems of higher education, associations, foundations, and coalitions on key education and workforce policy issues including federal student financial aid, workforce development legislation, ed R&D, the evolving higher education landscape, and the “business” of higher education. 

Before joining Lewis-Burke, Otto served as the Education Advisor for Representative Phil Roe, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee.  While there, he proposed and developed education and workforce development policies for the congressman.  He also staffed and advised the congressman at Education and Workforce Committee meetings and district events and engaged various interest groups, stakeholder groups, and agencies regarding pertinent legislation. 

Issue Expertise: K-12 and STEM education policy, higher education policy, workforce development policy, federal research policy, student financial aid, accreditation, “business” of higher education. 

Additional Experience: Otto has worked in education as a teacher, administrator, and policy analyst in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.  These experiences include serving as a Teach For America Corps member. 

Vital Statistics:  Otto received his B.A. in History from The College of New Jersey and his Masters in International Studies: Latin America from the University of Connecticut.  He grew up in New Jersey, runs the occasional marathon, and enjoys exploring far Southeast DC with his family.