Kate Edelen's Linkedin Analytics

Kate Edelen has over 10 years of experience designing and managing high-impact water security, sanitation, and hygiene (WSSH) programming in fragile and conflict-affected environments. Working at the intersection of water security, climate change, and conflict, Ms. Edelen is a recognized expert in WSSH in fragile contexts. With experience at industry-leading WSSH implementers, including Mercy Corps and DAI, she combines deep analytical research abilities with proven field implementation building the capabilities of local partners, as well as experience in crafting science policy communications and advocacy strategies. In her current role as the Director for Water Security at Mercy Corps she leads a global team of technical experts to provide strategic and technical guidance on Mercy Corps’ water security initiatives and global program portfolio. Previously, as a Senior Manager with DAI, Ms. Edelen was responsible for a portfolio of U.S. government-funded climate adaptation and WSSH projects in Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines totaling more than $90 million. In this role, she oversaw and advised field teams on the strategic, technical, and operational aspects of these projects, in addition to leading client engagement and partnerships. Recently, she served as Interim Chief of Party on the USAID Nepal Karnali Water Activity, where she led an all-Nepali team of 52 staff across five watershed offices and 29 municipalities in the Karnali River Basin. Ms. Edelen started her career working for civil society organizations on Capitol Hill, mobilizing Congressional support for USAID reforms and increased development assistance. A Fulbright and Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Edelen holds a MSc in Water Science, Policy, and Management from the University of Oxford. As a Fulbright Scholar, she researched climate-conflict dynamics in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river basin. The author of several policy briefs, Ms. Edelen has organized and served on panels focused on the water-climate-conflict nexus for U.S. Congressional briefings, the UN Water Conference, the UN Peacebuilding Commission for Central African Republic, and the Norwegian Embassy to Bangladesh.