Karen Cator

Karen Cator is a member of ALI's Board. Karen is a leading voice for transforming education through innovation, technology, and research. She most recently led worldwide education at Apple and prior, served as the President and CEO of Digital Promise through its expansion phase from 2013 – 2020. She served as the Director of the Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Education from 2009-2013, where she led the development of the 2010 National Education Technology Plan and focused the Office’s efforts on advancing teacher and leader policies and practices. Cator began her education career in Alaska as a teacher and administrator where she also served as Special Assistant for Telecommunications for the Governor.

Cator holds a master’s in school administration from the University of Oregon and received the UO 2014 College of Education Distinguished Alumni award. He received her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Springfield College and received the 2015 Distinguished Alumna award. She is an Aspen Pahara Fellow and the past chair for the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.