Staff: Katie Fritz, Office and Systems Manager
As CEDAM's Office and Systems Manager, Katie Fritz is responsible for CEDAM's information technology systems and helps manage day-to-day operations of the office. In the past 3.5 years, she has implemented a new membership management system, overseen a full website overhaul and launched various project websites, steamlined many IT processes, led training workshops for staff and members and created a wiki to document operations and personnel procedures, all while cutting thousands of dollars from CEDAM's operations budget. Katie hopes to share this experience with CEDAM members to help them be more effective and efficient.
Before taking on her current position, Katie served as CEDAM's Policy and Program Manager (2010-2011), Policy Associate (2009-10) and Policy Intern (2008-09). In these roles she guided the creation of two policy agendas, pushed through a 2010 bill clarifying a tax abatement to supportive housing properties, published two election guides, co-coordinated the Legislators Building Communities initiative and more. Her previous professional experience includes an internship with the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and two summers as an office assistant for the law firm Hooper Hathaway in her hometown of Ann Arbor, along with self-employment teaching flute and tutoring in math and German. She possesses two degrees from Michigan State University: Social Relations and Policy (from James Madison College) and German.
Q&A with Katie:
What drives your passion for neighborhood/community and economic development?
Safe, decent, affordable housing, access to jobs and fresh food, and neighbors you can engage with are huge factors in high quality of life. Plus, when residents feel empowered in their neighborhoods and communities, they can create positive social change on all levels. CEDAM members are improving both the physical infrastructure and the social capital of Michigan's neighborhoods, and I want to help them do that!
Why do you love Michigan?
I love the diversity of Michigan - we have urban centers and strong agriculture, blizzards and heat waves, a manufacturing legacy and fantastic universities, new immigrants and families that have been here for generations. We also have so much natural beauty that it's a pleasure to just sit on my porch or drive along US-127. I'm one of those people who has lived here my whole life, and I love how I am always discovering new things about the state.
How do your family and/or community inspire your work?
My husband Chris and I volunteer with the REO Town Commercial Association, helping to promote and improve the neighborhood where CEDAM is based. We recently purchased a house in REO Town, Chris recently opened a business downtown, and we are thrilled to finally be putting down roots in Lansing. I am grateful for the REO Town community and the opportunity to practice grassroots community development.
What do you do in your free time (if it exists!)?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking, reading, watching TV, keeping house and playing with my adorable cat MacGyver. I also volunteer at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site through the Asset Indepenence Coalition, with the REO Town Commercial Association and with occasional other projects.
Updated October 26, 2011