About

Hi! I'm Katie.

I'm a social entrepreneur and LGBTQ advocate. I'm passionate about progressive politics, civil rights advocacy, and using the reach of technology and media to produce positive social change.

My work has been published and featured in national outlets including The HuffPost, The Advocate, Forbes.com, NowThis, Teen Vogue, and The Hill. I've also been a featured speaker on LGBTQ rights and public good technology.

I received a B.A. cum laude with distinction in public health from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.S. in management from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. 

Highlighted Coverage of My Work in the News

• Teen Vogue, “LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Face Layered Marginalization, So These Four Organizations Are Here to Help.” September 5, 2019.

• Forbes.com, “Katie Sgarro’s AsylumConnect Helps LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Access Safe Services.” August 14, 2019.

• Clinton Foundation’s “Why Am I Telling You This?” Podcast, “Stonewall 50: Pride, Progress, and the Future Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights.” June 27, 2019.

• NowThis, “AsylumConnect Helps LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers Find Resources in the U.S.” (Video). June 20, 2019.

• Philadelphia Gay News, “Resource for LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Launches in Canada and Mexico.” May 9, 2019.

• The Bay Area Reporter, “LGBTs visit US-Mexico border, meet asylum seekers.” May 1, 2019.

• Profiles in Pride Blog, “Katie Sgarro: On Creating a Resource for LGBTQ Asylum Seekers.” April 4, 2019.

• The Advocate, “LGBTQ Asylum Seekers Cannot Wait Safely in Mexico.” January 4, 2019.

• The Advocate, “We Must Fight Trump's Asylum Attacks With Everything We Have.” November 12, 2018.

• The Hill, “LGBTQ Central Americans need asylum and America needs them.” October 28, 2018.

• The Independent Sector Blog, "A Community of Connections for LGBTQ Asylum Seekers." July 26, 2018.

• The Advocate, "Trump Policies Will Send LGBT Asylum Seekers To Their Deaths." July 9, 2018. 

• Mogul, "#MyDream is to create the first online resource catalog for LGBTQ asylum seekers." June 6, 2018.

• Mogul, "#IAmAMogul because I know that everyone deserves the safety to live authentically." December 21, 2017.

• Medium (The Clinton Foundation), "The Honor Roll: A young leader provides a lifeline for LGBTQ asylum seekers in the U.S." December 8, 2017.

• The Bay Area Reporter ,"Online LGBT asylum resource launches in SF." November 30, 2017.

• Big Think, "The Clinton Global Initiative Empowers New Leaders to Solve Global Challenges." October 13, 2017.

• HealthCare.com, "The 5 Gayest Healthcare Startups Right Now." June 15, 2017.

• Philadelphia Gay News, "Philly-Born Database Enhanced for LGBT Asylum-Seekers." March 9, 2017.

• Forbes.com, "What Moves A Millennial: My Year Of Inspiration 2015." November 2, 2015.

• Forbes.com, "Under 30: How Will You Change The World" (Video). November 2, 2015.

• Accelerate.lgbt Blog, "Interview with Katie Sgarro." October 30, 2015.

• Philadelphia Gay News, "Safe and Sound: Organization to Help LGBT Asylum Seekers Started in Philly." October 8, 2015.

• The Seattle Times, "Local outreach project hopes to help LGBTQ immigrants, asylum-seekers." September 24, 2015.

• Philadelphia Magazine, "Penn Alumni Establish First Ever Online Resource for LGBT Asylum Seekers." September 10, 2015.

• Out Magazine, "UPenn Grad Seeks to Become First Openly Gay Man in Space." August 21, 2015.

• The HuffPost, “"AsylumConnect: Two Seniors' Quest to Create Lifesaving Online Informational Resources for LGBTQ Asylum Seekers." May 11, 2015.

What Can I Do For You?

I'm always looking to write or guest speak about LGBTQ issues and social entrepreneurship. I am also very interested in giving back through joining a nonprofit board or providing pro bono mentorship to LGBTQ youth. I have experience in the following areas and I'm always looking for new opportunities.

• LGBTQ advocacy & LGBTQ youth mentorship

• Freelance writing (op-eds, news, comedy)

• Guest speaking (LGBTQ rights, social entrepreneurship, public good technology, tech nonprofits)

• Nonprofit board advising

Interested in working together? Contact me.