Catherine Beane

Catherine Beane is vice president of public policy and advocacy at YWCA USA, where she leads the YWCA advocacy department’s efforts to impact legislation and policy related to racial justice and civil rights, women’s empowerment and economic advancement, and women’s health and safety. Catherine has more than two decades of experience addressing equity issues in public policy and legal settings, with subject matter expertise across a broad range of social policy issues that intersect with race, ethnicity, gender and economic status. Prior to joining YWCA, Catherine addressed gender equity, school discipline, and student achievement issues for the National Education Association, and served as the policy director for the Children’s Defense Fund.

Catherine began her career providing direct service as a trial attorney in civil rights cases and representing indigent youth and adults in juvenile and criminal proceedings. She earned her B.A. from Emory University, and her J.D. from Catholic University of America.