Lauren Kataja (MPP)

Lauren Kataja is a dedicated public policy professional with extensive experience in community investment and housing research. Currently serving as a Community Investment Operations Specialist at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, Lauren oversees compliance for projects under the Affordable Housing Program. Previous roles include Community Impact Operations Analyst at POAH Communities, where Lauren focused on stable housing and community-driven solutions, and Kreisman Graduate Fellow at the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation, where research centered on the impact of property reassessment trends on small landlords. Additional experience encompasses research assistant positions at the Metropolitan Planning Council and the University of Chicago, as well as leadership in food access initiatives and community garden projects. Lauren holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Honors Environmental Sociology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.