Catherine “Kitty” Didion is the new senior director of development for the College of Engineering. Didion began her role in November and will lead development and engagement efforts for the college.
Didion brings years of experience engaging nonprofits, academic institutions, federal agencies, corporations and Congress as an executive-level manager and strategic communicator. Most recently, she served as the vice president of The Didion Group, an international consulting firm where she focused on science and engineering clients.
“I am delighted to join the community at Boise State in such a pivotal time for the university and the State of Idaho,” Didion said. “I firmly believe that future innovation and technical advances will grow in agile and creative institutions that do not rest on their previous accomplishments but focus on fostering collaborations across institutions and with industry– Boise State is such a place.”
From 2018 to 2020, Didion was the Executive Director of the Women in Engineering Pro-Active Network, a nonprofit committed to increasing the number of women in engineering. There she led the organization’s 30th Anniversary campaign. She served as Vice President of Development at Olin College of Engineering from 2016 to 2018. Didion was a senior program officer at the National Academy of Engineering from 2006 to 2016.
Didion is an internationally recognized expert on issues of equity and diversity in engineering and science. She was named one of “100 Women Leaders in STEM” during her time at the National Academy of Engineering.