Kate Hamilton

Position: Chief Operating Officer
Email: khamilton@dralegal.org
Staff Leadership

“I was drawn to DRA by the unique opportunity to support the most talented, passionate lawyers leading the way in a critical civil rights battle. At DRA, we work across disabilities and across the nation to develop solutions to systemic inequities.  DRA’s powerful work visibly changes our society for the better every day.”

Kate Hamilton has served the organization since 2013, first as Development and Communications Director and then as Managing Director, Operations. In 2020, during DRA’s search for a President/CEO, Kate assumed the role of Interim Executive Director in order to guide the organization in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. After this search was concluded in 2021, Kate returned to the role of Managing Director, Development & Operations. In 2023, Kate became DRA’s first Chief Operating Officer.

Born into a family of nonprofit activists, Ms. Hamilton started her career as an environmental activist and educator—leading backcountry Student Conservation Association trips for urban youth and directing door-to-door canvassing through the California Public Interest Research Group.

Ms. Hamilton has made her mark helping to lead and grow a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining DRA, Ms. Hamilton worked as the Development Director for Creating Economic Opportunities for Women (C.E.O. Women) and NatureBridge. Ms. Hamilton has served as a Board member, consultant, volunteer, and advisor for organizations including the Future Leaders Institute, Outdoor Afro, Kitchen Table Advisors and Net Impact—helping to increase revenue and maximize impact. Ms. Hamilton holds a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. Her Master’s thesis, Bringing Nonprofits to Scale, examined changes in program diversity and quality as nonprofit organizations grew from a local to a national scale and identified 7 best practices for growing nonprofits.

When she’s not maximizing DRA’s revenue and impact, Ms. Hamilton practices patience, strength and flexibility through yoga, hiking, parenting, cooking, home improvement, and travel.