The City of Boise is pleased to announce the addition of Kate Nelson to the Mayor’s Office as the Director of Community Partnerships. In this role, Nelson will plan, implement and administer community-focused initiatives that support strategies for the city’s community outreach programs. She will work to ensure coordination of multiple community outreach initiatives while connecting with a variety of organizations vital to our community including neighborhood associations, faith-based groups, schools, refugee support organizations, area nonprofits and government agencies involved in education, livability, healthcare and social services.
Nelson has a strong background in community building, business development and leadership. She comes to the City of Boise from Jannus, Inc. where she most recently held the position of Economic Opportunity Director. Nelson oversaw a team that created economic mobility for families and communities by implementing agile and holistic direct services through entrepreneurship, credit building, early childhood education and more.
Nelson is also the founder and director of the Starling Project, committed to driving forward gender parity and developing a leadership pipeline for collegiate women who have arrived in the United States as refugees. Participants are paired with mentors in the Treasure Valley who help them build professional networks, hone their skills and create personal and professional growth opportunities.
Since 2019, Nelson has served on the board of commissioners for the Capital City Development Corporation. She’s also a policy advisory member for the Idaho Child Care Program and on the State of Idaho core leadership team for Zero to Three, an organization with a mission to ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. Nelson is a member of the Boise Foreign Affairs Committee and a board member for the Central Rim Neighborhood Association.
Nelson will start her new role with the City of Boise on October 28, 2021.
