Katie Whitcraft is an accomplished operational leader with over 15 years of experience driving organizational efficiency, financial growth, and cross-departmental collaboration. She currently serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Foundry 415 Innovation Group, where she oversees operations, HR, and accounting, aligning strategies to achieve both short-term goals and long-term business objectives. Katie specializes in optimizing internal processes, managing capital investments, and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth. Previously, Katie served as Director of Operations at Runway Innovation Hub, where she restructured policies, streamlined workflows, and achieved significant financial impact by reducing expenses by over $2 million. Her leadership also extended to creating actionable financial reporting for boards and enhancing customer satisfaction through operational improvements. As General Manager of Circus Center, Katie transformed a struggling nonprofit into a thriving organization by tripling its budget from less than $500,000 to $2.4 million. She implemented robust financial and HR systems, led a team of 50-75 staff, and launched a successful production series that bolstered community engagement and revenue. In addition to her executive roles, Katie has a proven track record in governance and nonprofit leadership as the Board Chair of Bay Area Creative. She provides strategic oversight, guides governance practices, and leads fundraising initiatives to support the organization’s mission of empowering underserved youth through the arts. Katie's comprehensive expertise spans budget management, HR strategy, compliance, and operations, making her a versatile leader adept at building scalable systems and fostering innovation. Based in San Francisco, Katie balances her professional endeavors with personal passions, including long-distance running, painting, and spending time with her lively dog.