Katie Couch Email and Phone Number

As district manager for the centers in the North Carolina area, I am responsible for ensuring quality childcare and education service's are provided at our centers in alignment with Big Blue Marble's mission and goals as an organization.

As Director at Large, I traveled to different locations across the east coast to provide leadership support while ensuring all licensing, training, and safety requirements were being met.

Worked remotely from September 2021 to April 2022 to help with planning future expansions in the North Carolina area and preparations (such as hiring staff, communicating with local parks & recreation departments, and organizing the upcoming summer programs).Working on-site full-time beginning May 2022 to ensure the continued success of the Chapel Hill, NC summer sports camp location and facilitate the creation of the summer sports camp location in Holly Springs, NC.Responsible for overseeing all North Carolina area operations and future expansions for Jump Start Sports, LLC.

Progressed from camp counselor supervising campers (aged 5 to 10) to the camp director.Responsible for planning events and activities, managing counselors, and ensuring safety and enjoyment for all campers and counselors.Extensive interactions with parents, school administrators, and parks & recreation department officials.Additionally involved in the planning for expansion of future camps in the area.

Responsible for planning and facilitating activities for children, including monitoring social and emotional development, helping children with learning disabilities, ensuring safety, and interacting with parents/guardians on their learning development.

Taught Swahili to kindergarten through sixth-grade students at the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, IN through the Bridges Language Program at Indiana University.Created weekly lesson plans for all classes. Successfully engaged students in learning a lesser-known language while having fun in an online environment.

Supported Kimberly Brandt, Principal Deputy Administrator for Policy and Operations, and Anna Bonelli, Senior Policy Advisor.Gained unique perspectives on how government and healthcare systems function, especially during. unprecedented events like the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Laboratory Intern for Dr. Andrea Bonetto's cancer cachecia research lab.Invite back after interning in this lab through STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) Research Program for high school students. Worked with Principal Investigators and technigicians to develop experiments and specific research.Conducted experiments, analyzed data, and wrote up research findings.Co-author on of published works from this lab: Barreto, R., Y., Mastsumoto, T. et al. ACVR2B/Fc counteracts chemotherapy-induced loss of muscle and bone mass. Sci Rep 7, 14470 (2017). (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15040-1)

Performed scientific research in Dr. Andrea Bonetto's laboratory.Presented lab findings at STEM Research Program poster session. One of 6 selected students from the STEM Research Program to present lab findings and poster at the Biomedical Indianapolis conference.

Started as a cashier, cook, caterer, and waitress.Promote to shift manager, responsible for organizing schedules for fellow employees.