Kathryn Wilkes

Gender Advisor and Program Coordinator, EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls, Uganda

Kathryn Wilkes is a highly accomplished professional with a strong educational background and extensive experience in the legal and humanitarian sectors.

She holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she graduated with a remarkable 94.3 GPA, ranking her in the top 10% of her class. Prior to this, she pursued a Bachelor's Degree with dual majors in Political Science and International Studies from Miami University.

Kathryn's professional journey has been marked by impactful roles in various organizations. She has worked with the Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Children in Uganda through the UNDP. Additionally, she has served as a Justice System Development, Governance, and Gender-Based Violence Consultant at both UN Women and the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention. She has also contributed her expertise as a Law, Access to Justice, Gender and Human Rights, Governance, and Violence Prevention Consultant as an Independent Consultant.

In her earlier roles, Kathryn held positions such as Field Office Director and Deputy Director in Uganda at the International Justice Mission. She also gained experience as an Associate Attorney at Pepper Hamilton LLP. Her legal insight was further honed through a Judicial Externship at The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and a Legal Internship with the Ohio General Assembly, Senate Minority Caucus.

Kathryn's commitment to humanitarian causes is evident through her past roles, including serving as an Interim Orphanage Director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Conference under the United Methodist Church. She has also supported vulnerable individuals as a Positive Partners Caseworker at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Athens County and worked as a House Manager for Good Works, Inc.

Throughout her career, Kathryn's dedication to promoting justice, human rights, and gender equality has been a consistent theme, making her a respected figure in the legal and advocacy fields.