Katherine Pedersen Blanchard is currently the Assistant Division Director of Professional Services at the Smithsonian Science Education Center. In this role, she leads educational initiatives across the United States and around the world. Katherine works with teachers, schools, districts and communities to build support for science and STEM education that intersects with social issues and sustainable development (STEM4SD), and directs the Network for Emergent Socio-Scientific Thinking (NESST). She is passionate about connecting people who are doing this work across geographic borders, disciplines, and generations. During her time at the SSEC, Katherine has led professional development workshops, leadership institutes, and has worked on the development of new initiatives including the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project. Prior to joining the SSEC in 2012, Katherine worked in theatre production for companies in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Belgrade, Serbia, and was a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Belgrade. She holds a BA in Theatre and Political Science from Coe College, and an MA in International Education from The George Washington University.