Seminars: Women in Public Policy, 1997; Women and Congress, 1997
Occupation: Chief of Staff, Office of Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
Education: JD, Catholic University; BA, Tulane University (PLEN Member School)
When Kathee Facchiano learned about PLEN as a senior at Tulane University, she had already applied to law schools and thought her path was set. However, her experience at the Women in Public Policy Seminar in January 1997 opened her eyes to the many opportunities women have to shape policy in the public sector. Kathee remembers visiting the Senate and hearing from women serving as legislative directors and chiefs of staff and, at one point, crying because it finally clicked: she found the thing wanted to with her career.
Once she returned to Tulane, Kathee quickly changed her post-graduation plans, determined to move to Washington, DC and work on the Hill. Her determination paid off. Over the course of her career, she has served as the Legislative Director for John Boozman (R-AR) in the House and Senate and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). She currently is the Chief of Staff for Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA).
During her time on Capitol Hill, Kathee ultimately made the decision to returned to law school, completing her J.D. at Catholic University in Washington, DC while working in the Senate. In her words, PLEN paved the way for her career: “I honestly would not have gotten to DC and to this job without PLEN.”
By Dawn Culpepper • 2018