Katie Nohe Franco, Executive Director
Katie began her career as a Legislative Aide with the Maryland General Assembly. As the Legislator’s right hand aide, Katie served as first point of contact with the general public. Internally, she analyzed critical issues, researched policies and provided ongoing advice, counsel and direction to the Legislator and key policy makers. This involvement with policy and passion for service has set the tone for Katie’s career.
Katie successfully operated her own public affairs and community relations firm and worked with high profile clients like the Pinellas SunCoast Transit Agency (PSTA) and Lyft. Before that she worked for seven years with the Tampa Bay Partnership where she served as Senior Vice President for Regional Initiatives.
Katie rejoined the Best Buddies International team in 2015 as Senior Director of State Operations and was later promoted to Vice President of Mission & Leadership. She worked with this nonprofit in the past (2000-2006), and was recruited back during a pivotal time. During her tenure she lead the new market expansion efforts and established programs in all 50 states, as well as established operations in seven new states. In addition, Kate grew the programmatic reach by 900% in school-based programs and doubled the employment program impact. In addition to the external success, Katie lead internal organizational change by creating and establishing an internal Leadership program, created new metric reporting systems and created the pathway for sustainable program growth.
Katie is a graduate of the Universities of South Florida and Vermont, and holds a Masters in Public Administration. She has completed a variety of rigorous leadership training activities, including a fellowship with the Public Interest Research Group and most memorable is her stint abroad in Harare, Zimbabwe dealing with life and culture in a radically different cultural context.
Bindu Jallabah, Director of Operations
Bindu is fervently passionate about developing ecosystems that empower disadvantaged communities in making informed, self-determined decisions. She has dedicated most of her career to advocating and developing pragmatic solutions that promote social equity.
Bindu is a seasoned administrator with nearly two decades of progressive experience in nonprofit leadership and operations management. Prior to joining GDI, Bindu won awards for her work developing and executing the operational strategy for the Elwyn Baring Street Center.
Bindu is also founder and Board Chair of Karanso Africa, a civil society organization that has innovated literacy to promote self-efficacy and self-determination for women across Sub-Saharan Africa. Leveraging a strong background in Information Technology, Bindu is also the architect of Karanso’s Docteur Mobile initiative which is a tool for self-care and advocacy to improve access to maternal and reproductive health services for vulnerable women in remote villages in West Africa.
