Caty McDermott
Lobbyist
CATHERINE MCDERMOTT has been working in governmental affairs and policy development for seventeen years, across two different states and in a variety of roles. During her time at Hamilton, Caty has represented a variety of clients, ranging from statewide trade associations, corporations, and nonprofits, in front of the state legislature, governor’s office, and state agencies. Drawing upon her diverse policy background, Caty analyzes and effectively communicates policy positions on a variety of issue areas, including Medicaid, water quality, early education, public safety, tourism, and local development.
Prior to joining Hamilton Consulting, Caty worked in the Executive Office at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), providing high-level analysis and opportunity research of federal housing and economic development programs and policies. During her time at WHEDA, Caty successfully helped write and secure a $2.5 million federal grant to improve housing assistance. She also helped develop a federal New Market Tax Credit proposal and expanded the scope and function of the WHEDA Foundation.
Before joining WHEDA, Caty worked for three years as a state budget analyst in the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM). While at OPM, Caty was responsible for the budget and policy development for several large state programs including health and social service programs, housing, heating assistance and rehabilitation services. In this role, she managed and forecasted costs for contracts associated with Medicaid and negotiated on behalf of the administration the department’s enrollment projections and cost share related to the state Health Insurance Exchange. Caty was actively involved in the development of several state agency consolidations, working as a liaison between agency commissioners and budget officials to implement administrative service mergers and program consolidations.
Adding to her diverse experiences in government, Caty held a position in city government. She provided research and analysis on education legislation and school financing alternatives for the New Haven Board of Education. Also while in Connecticut, Caty also interned with a prominent lobbying firm, preparing research and bill summaries for clients focused on health care, education and human services.
Before moving out east, Caty started her government affairs career working at a Madison lobbying firm. While there, she managed and successfully grew a statewide trade association, the Wisconsin Association of Mortgage Brokers. In this role, she informed members of pertinent state and federal legislation, developed and managed the association’s loan officer education program, and coordinated a statewide public relations campaign to educate the public about how to find an accredited mortgage professional.
Caty received her Master of Public Administration and Certificate in Public Financial Management from the University of Connecticut. During graduate school, she served as the President for the Graduate Association of Public Policy Students and was a member of the Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Political Science and English. Currently, Caty is active on the board of her child’s daycare and serves on the Association of Wisconsin Lobbyists membership committee. She lives in Monona, Wisconsin, with her husband, two daughters and black labs.
