Catherine Townsend

Catherine Townsend

President and CEO

Leading the organization’s vision and strategy, Catherine works to bring innovative ideas and solutions to fulfill the Trust’s mission and partnership with the National Park Service.  Utilizing over 30 years of experience in fundraising, relationship and organizational management, strategic partnerships, marketing and brand development, Catherine is developing ambitious plans to advance new initiatives and strategic philanthropy to meet the Trust’s vision by the year 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and a celebration that will showcase the National Mall.

Prior to joining the Trust, Catherine developed her own consulting practice, providing coaching and resource support to non-profit leaders until she was recruited to join the Trust in 2016. She served as the President and Executive Director of the DC Public Education Fund from 2012 to 2014, the independent non-profit that advances initiatives to improve student outcomes in DC Public Schools, helping implement the IMPACT program with funding from major foundations, as well as help grow its annual Standing Ovation, a star-studded awards ceremony honoring the achievements of top teachers, leaders, and school communities. She has also served as Senior Advisor at Townsend Public Affairs (a family-owned business) and launched their Federal office in Washington, DC in 2008.

Catherine’s non-profit career was shaped as she served for 18 years as the Associate Director of Share Our Strength, a national non-profit organization she helped to build from a fledgling organization to a leader in ending childhood hunger (currently known for its No Kid Hungry campaign).  Through national events, such as Taste of the Nation, and pioneering cause-marketing programs with leading fortune 500 companies, such as Charge Against Hunger with American Express, she helped raised millions of dollars annually for direct grants to non-profits organizations throughout the United States and in select developing countries. Catherine helped to mobilize hundreds of prominent chefs and restaurateurs in cities across the country to do events and special initiatives, including a cookbook she co-authored to help raise awareness for the mission, called Home Food:  44 Great American Chefs Cook 160 Recipes on their Night Off.  

Catherine is an experienced public speaker and has travelled throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as to Africa, Europe, and South America. Born and raised in Southern California, she has a B.A. from Scripps College in Claremont, California. She is a member of the 2014 class of Greater Leadership Washington and is the founder and head coach of HoopGirlsDC, a youth basketball and empowerment program for girls, established in 2004. Catherine lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and has four grown children.  In her spare time enjoys distance cycling, her Peloton, cooking and watching independent films.