Grassroots is thrilled to announce that Katie Steinour has joined its growing team as the new Manager of Development & Communications. Katie moved to D.C. after spending nearly ten years in the Mississippi Delta working in education and non-profit development. She holds a Masters in Business Administration from Delta State University and is proud to call herself a Fighting Okra (arguably the coolest mascot ever). Inspired by her time teaching as part of Teach For America, Katharine’s work is deeply rooted in her commitment to building more equitable and healthy communities.
Katie is an avid storyteller who loves to illuminate the brilliance of young people, as well as the innovative, important work of organizations like Grassroots. As a former varsity field hockey and soccer player, she is a firm believer in the power of sports as a catalyst for connection and growth. She believes mentorship and educational opportunities should be a source of freedom and access that crosses geographic, social, and economic barriers.
What brought you to where you are today?
I grew up in the small town of Camp Hill, and studied education in Indiana, PA (home of Jimmy Stewart and the Christmas tree capital of the world). After graduation, I packed up my old 92’ Explorer with all my worldly possessions and moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi to be a history teacher. I loved my new community so much I decided to stay for nearly ten years. Like many other people, my life was turned upside down when the pandemic hit, so I decided to move back to the east coast to be closer to family. I’m absolutely loving meeting new people and setting up home in D.C!
Besides working with nonprofits, what do you do for fun?
The first eight years of my life were spent living on a farm, and I never quite lost that farm girl spark! This summer I got the chance to go to Montana to learn how to ride horses, wrangle cattle, and drive a swaffer to harvest alfalfa! Now that I’m back in the city, I really enjoy playing pick-up volleyball, exploring niche grocery stores, and “Marie Kondo-ing” my apartment.
What made you most excited to join Grassroots?
When I first came to D.C. I really wanted to connect with organizations doing meaningful work in education. A friend told me about Grassroots, and my eyes lit up when I heard about how TGP leverages the gifts and experiences of student-athletes. Leadership, discipline, teamwork, and resiliency are qualities worth sharing, and I love how TGP supports young people as they grow into their best selves. The coaches and staff are ALL urgent and passionate about the impact they make; you can’t help but want to be a part of the momentum!
