Koya | Diversified Search Group partnered with FIRST^® on its Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion search. Our work resulted in the placement of Dr. Janell N. Catlin.

For over 15 years, Catlin has developed, managed, and implemented pivotal STEM education programs in the United States and internationally. She has worked with university leaders and faculty, K-12 schools, industry, philanthropy, community leaders, and government to develop education programs that support the needs of diverse youth and young people.

Catlin joins FIRST® from the Schmidt Science Fellows, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust (Oxford, U.K.), where she served as the Director of Global Meetings. Prior to joining the Rhodes Trust, she served as the Director, STEM Coalition Partnerships at Discovery Education (Maryland, U.S.), Head of STEM and Girls’ Education at Teach For All (New York City, U.S.), and led the Harlem Schools Partnership for STEM Education at Teachers College, Columbia University (New York City, U.S.).

Catlin has led fundraising campaigns to lay the foundation for building out equitable global STEM and Girls’ Education programs. She has led STEM and Girls’ Education Initiatives throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Southeast Asia. In this capacity, she has structured the vision, design, and implementation for teacher and school leader professional development and leveraged partnerships to deepen the impact of equitable STEM and Girls’ Education teaching and learning. Furthermore, she has led international STEM consultancies with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a funded project in Indonesia, private schools in China and Vietnam, and for the New York City Department of Education.

Caitlin is extremely passionate about increasing access and inclusion for all learners in global STEM education and girls’ education. In 2019 Caitlin co-authored the National Science Teacher Association position statement on Gender Equity in Science Education. She now brings this passion to FIRST®, building on its concerted and organized effort to make its programs more accessible and more inclusive.

Catlin received her PhD and MPhil in Science Education, and MA in Pharmacology, all from Columbia University. She holds a BS in Biology from Bennett College.

We invite you to read the announcement: FIRST Announces New Hire to Lead and Expand Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Program.