Kathleen Kane Parkinson is a data analyst in the Office of Access and Enrollment at Chicago Public Schools, managing admissions data and developing processes that support fair, transparent, and equitable access to schools and programs. She built expertise in data analytics, systems operations for continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration working with teams in the financial sector and at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Center for Urban Education Leadership. She began her career in education as a special education teacher in Arizona and Chicago, working with students, families, and multidisciplinary teams to co-design personalized learning plans and inclusive classrooms responsive to a wide range of student needs. She holds graduate degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Arizona State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College. Kathleen lives in Chicago with her husband, who also works in education, and their two daughters.