Kate Wilson has been working in the water world for over 12 years. Her initial focus was on water quality and quantity issues in the Pend Oreille Basin for the Lakes Commission, an advisory board to the Governor of Idaho created in 2003. Stemming from the work with the Lakes Commission, Kate became engrossed in the aquatic invasive species issue, pursuing a Master’s of Science at the University of Florida where she worked for the Center for Aquatic Invasive Plants. From there she moved to Canada to develop a comprehensive AIS Program for Alberta, where she spent the last five years. She has served as Chair of the National Aquatic Invasive Species Committee (NAISC), the Alberta AIS Standing Committee, the Co-Chair of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Invasive Species Working Group, and participates in such organizations as the Western Regional Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species, the Columbia River Basin/100th Meridian, and the Aquatic Plant Management Society.

Kate recently returned to her roots and took a position with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, where she serves a dual role as Commission Administrator for two legislatively created Commissions - the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission, focused on prevention and management of aquatic invasive species west of the Continental Divide, and the Flathead Basin Commission, focused on water quality and natural resource protection. She is dedicated to protecting the freshwater resources of the west and all the native critters that live here.