Catalyst Welcomes Katie Tipton as Lead of New Cultural Resources Practice

With over 14 years of experience in cultural resources management (CRM), Katie brings deep expertise in federal compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and historic preservation to our growing team.

Before joining Catalyst, Katie served as a Senior Archaeologist for both the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. In these roles, she led Section 106 compliance under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) for a range of energy infrastructure and wildlife restoration projects across the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, and Southeast. Her extensive federal experience positions Catalyst to support projects with complex regulatory requirements involving federal, state, and tribal coordination.

Katie holds a Master of Science in Anthropology from Portland State University, where her graduate research focused on building collaborative frameworks between archaeologists and private collectors in Northwest Oregon. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in History from Washington State University and meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology. She is also a Registered Professional Archaeologist and active member of the Society for American Archaeology and the Association of Oregon Archaeologists.

Her field experience includes archaeological survey, artifact analysis, and public engagement. Katie has managed cultural resources labs, conducted historic property assessments, and supported tribal consultation processes that are both legally compliant and deeply respectful. She also has extensive experience with CEQA and NEPA, providing essential technical input on cultural and historic resources.

With Katie at the helm of our new cultural practice area, Catalyst is now fully equipped to offer end-to-end cultural resources services—from archaeological surveys and technical reports to tribal engagement and agency coordination. Her leadership ensures our clients receive expert guidance through the cultural compliance landscape on projects large and small.

Please join us in welcoming Katie Tipton to Catalyst! Her passion for heritage preservation and her strong federal, tribal, and public experience will greatly benefit the communities and clients we serve.