Kathy brings over 25 years of experience in coastal engineering, with a career spanning data collection and synthesis, numerical modeling, and the design and management of complex projects in estuarine and coastal environments across the East, West, and Gulf Coasts. For the past 16 years, her work has focused on leading advanced hydrodynamic and sediment transport modeling efforts in support of infrastructure development, environmental remediation, and coastal restoration—while also managing local restoration projects throughout the Pacific Northwest.
As a Principal Coastal Engineer and co-owner of Blue Coast Engineering, LLC, she plays a key leadership role in shaping the firm’s technical direction and collaborative project culture. Kathy has deep technical expertise in coastal and beach morphodynamics, sediment transport processes, and numerical modeling of tides, waves, and sediment dynamics. Her work often integrates soft shoreline and nature-based design solutions, with a focus on long-term sustainability and climate change adaptation. In addition to her professional practice, she is active in both regional and national coastal resilience efforts. Her academic experience includes teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in fluid dynamics and oceanography at Stevens Institute of Technology, where she also earned her degrees.
Kathy partners with local agencies and nonprofits to develop and secure grant funding for coastal studies and project implementation, and she shares her knowledge as an instructor for the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Coastal Training Program. She has recently been appointed as a representative of the WA RCO's Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) Advisory Committee for the next four years. As a member of the ALEA Advisory Committee, she will assist RCO staff and grant applicants on a variety of program issues, including the review and evaluation of project proposals and occasional policy input. She is also a member of the Coastal Committee for COPRI and a Board Member for the newly formed Pacific Northwest Chapter of ASBPA.
Contact Kathy
Kathy@gobluecoast.com
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