Katherine Lucas McKay

Katherine Lucas McKay

Associate Director, Insights and Evidence, Financial Security Program

Katherine leads research that builds the evidence base for strategies that ensure everyone in the United States has financial security and effective opportunities to pursue their goals and dreams.

Katherine Lucas McKay is an Associate Director at the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, where they lead research on topics including net worth, consumer debt and student loans, inclusive savings and ownership strategies, and housing stability. Katherine was previously the Associate Director of Government Affairs at Prosperity Now, where they led the organization’s policy work on homeownership, entrepreneurship, and consumer financial protection. They have also held positions at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition and Georgetown University. 

Katherine holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz School of Public Policy and Information Systems and a BA from Wellesley College. They serve on the Silver Spring Citizens Advisory Board of Montgomery County, Maryland, which they chaired from September 2022 to June 2024. Katherine’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Vox, CNN, CNBC, Greater Greater Washington, and other media outlets.

Authored by Katherine