MEET KATE

Kate Black is the founder and CEO of Pacesetter Strategies. She is an advocate, political strategist, policy expert, author, and professor.

She has nearly two decades of experience working in and around government. Most recently she spent five years, spanning two Administrations, at the Federal Communications Commission as Chief Policy Advisor and Media Advisor to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, the first woman ever to be confirmed by the Senate to lead the agency.

Pacesetter Strategies’ clients include Fortune 100 companies and the most innovative industry leaders and effective organizations shaping tech and telecom policy today.

Kate has spearheaded and navigated our most challenging policy issues, built bipartisan coalitions, and spearheaded strategic campaigns to meet her clients’ policy goals.

She is the co-founder of the Women’s Tech & Telecom Partnership, a new initiative that envisions a world where all women benefit from 21st century technology and telecommunications services.

While at the FCC, Kate helped launch the nation’s largest ever broadband affordability program (the Affordable Connectivity Program) and an historic effort to connect students at home (the Emergency Connectivity Fund). She led initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of connectivity for states, Tribes, and communities. Kate’s work brought attention to the connectivity and access needs of public safety officials, veterans, seniors, and rural communities.

She is currently an adjunct professor with American University’s School of Public Affairs. Her first book, REPRESENT: The Woman’s Guide to Running for Office and Changing the World, co-authored with June Diane Raphael, was published in 2019 and she continues to write today.

She lives in Virginia with her husband and son and is an Ambassador for the Greater DC Diaper Bank, a triathlete, and a living kidney donor.