The Sycamore Institute recently welcomed Katja Vinha to our full-time staff as our Senior Policy Research Analyst. We asked Katja to answer the following questions so you can get to know her better.
Tell us about yourself.
I have lived and worked on five different continents. Since 2020 (during the height of the COVID pandemic), I have called Nashville home. Prior to joining Sycamore, I worked as an independent consultant in international development research with the World Bank. My focus has always been to expand our understanding of vulnerable populations and how to reduce that vulnerability.
Why did you want to work at the Sycamore Institute?
In my consulting role with the World Bank, I felt disconnected from the impacts of the work that I was doing. At Sycamore, I hope to be closer to the action and see firsthand how the thinking and data analysis actually improves the lives of my neighbors.
Where do you want to be in 15 years?
In 15 years, I hope to be in a place where I feel that I have made a positive difference in the lives of Tennesseans.
What are your interests and activities outside of work?
I like to spend time with my family and friends hiking new places, discovering restaurants and cuisines, and playing board games. During my me-time, I like reading, putzing around my garden (even though I have no idea what I am doing, but one day I will have a front yard full of native plants), and going to any class at Hot Yoga Nashville.
What’s a fun fact about yourself?
Once, at a party, Carlos Vives sang “Carito” for me.
