Karen Cator

Session: Global Awareness: Developing 21st Century Skills in the Classroom

Karen Cator directs Apple's leadership and advocacy efforts in education. In this role, she is responsible for strategic business development, managing Apple’s involvement in education policy efforts, Apple Professional Development, the Apple Distinguished Educator Program and the publishing of media rich teaching and learning practices on the Apple Learning Interchange. Cator came to Apple in 1997 from the public education sector, most recently leading technology planning and implementation in Juneau, Alaska. She also served as Special Assistant for Telecommunications for the Lieutenant Governor of Alaska. Cator holds a master’s degree in School Administration from the University of Oregon and bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Springfield College. She is the immediate past chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and serves on the several boards including the Software & Information Industry Association (Education Division).