Kathleen “Katy” Sly serves as a Case Management Specialist for the SBA Office of the National Ombudsman, helping small businesses, small non-profits, and small government entities, when they experience excessive or unfair federal regulatory actions. She also partners with federal agencies directly to improve processes and communications that impact small businesses nationwide. Prior to her work with the National Ombudsman, Katy led marketing and communications for the SBA Office of Investment and Innovation, and served in roles in the SBA Minnesota District Office, as well as the SBA Office of International Trade. Before her career in the federal government, Katy worked domestically and internationally in non-profit, higher education research, international development, and state government sectors with a focus on violence prevention and economic development. Katy holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and a bachelor’s degree in international studies and French from Kalamazoo College.