National Science Foundation - Where Discoveries Begin

Katherine Otts currently serves as Acting Section Head, Technology and Operations Section.  Formerly she served as Unified Communications (UC) Manager and Section 508 Compliance Officer providing training, technology demonstrations, technical assistance and accessibility guidance to help early adopters transition smoothly to using new communications tools and to eliminate barriers to electronic and information technology for individuals with disabilities.  Katherine's professional experience spans more than 27 years serving in roles as Project Director, Section 508 Coordinator, Virtual Technology Manager, Section Head, Senior Conference Manager and Assistant Director for Conference Technologies International.  Katherine managed NSF's Meetings and Events Management (MEM) Office for 12 years helping customers to convene face-to-face at more than 10,000/year onsite events.  She has been a passionate advocate and enthusiastic promoter of the use of unified and assistive technologies to help broaden meeting participation and communications.  Katherine is noted for leading DGE's Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) 100% virtual panels in 2014 and 2015 and MPS' Sustainable Energy Pathways (SEP) 100% virtual panels in 2012 to successful outcomes realizing more than $7.5 million in cost savings, for managing NSF's Videoconferencing Infrastructure and Technology Upgrade Project in 2009, and for expanding the use of unified communications technology for 100% virtual panels to over 30%.  She is a certified Government Virtual Event Producer, holds a B.A. degree in Psychology from the American University and is a graduate of American University's Key Executive Leadership Program.  Katherine's professional interests are Section 508 accessibility, UC technology training, photography, and employee and team productivity.