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Katharine A. Burke

Chief Operating Officer

CureSearch for Children's Cancer

Katharine Burke

Kathy is an experienced executive with a diverse background in training, operations, facilities, consulting, and technical support. She most recently was Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Finance at CureSearch for Children’s Cancer where she was responsible for internal operations including human resources, finance, information technology, research and programs, donor services and facilities. Prior to joining CureSearch, Ms. Burke was Vice President of Operations at Learning Tree International, a technical and management training company. At Learning Tree, she directed production, instructor relations, facilities and operational activities associated with delivering training classes. Prior to Learning Tree, Burke held progressive positions in operations and technical support at Sprint.

Kathy has served on several boards and has knowledge about Board governance and a wide range of Board functions. Additionally, she has participated on many different types of committees as well as task forces that have worked to grow the organization, improve financial stability, and stay mission focused. With a professional background in operations, administration, process improvement and technology support, her skill set is relevant to a variety of corporate boards for small to mid-size private companies that are bottom line driven while benefiting from putting people first. She is particularly interested in training/education or professional services.

Operating in a highly ethical manner, Kathy’s ability to lead a large and multi-faceted team is matched only by her dedication to driving positive change for both employees and the organization at large. She is a strategic thinker and decision maker with a unique capacity for diplomacy and a willingness to engage at any level necessary to ensure the needs and expectations of both client and company are exceeded. She has an established track record for improving operational efficiency in complex, rapidly changing environments, when resources are shrinking.

Kathy currently serves on National Council for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Treasurer for Saint Andrew Lutheran Church and is a member of the Women’s Advisory Board for Girl Scout Council Nation’s Capital. Former Board positions include Secretary for BioPharma Global, Treasurer for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation, Director for NOVACO, and Secretary and Treasurer for the Washington Women’s Leadership Initiative.

Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree from Drexel University and an MBA from University of Maryland. She has completed additional studies at University of Virginia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Northwestern University.