Lindsey Kato is a public health professional who specializes in multidisciplinary work to strategically address complex issues at the intersection of public health and public safety.

She returned to HMA after two years embedded within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Overdose Prevention, through the CDC Foundation, where she served as the training and strategy lead for the National Overdose Response Strategy (ORS). In that role, Lindsey oversaw the technical assistance and training components of the program, as well as supported the strategic direction of the program, helping the program align with other state and federal overdose, substance use prevention and treatment funding and priories.

During her career, she has worked on projects including planning and facilitating state law enforcement summits and developing and providing ongoing training and technical assistance to states and communities. In addition, she has worked implementing overdose prevention including, provider education, naloxone distribution, safe disposal of household medication, and medication assisted treatment (MAT) in community and correctional setting. She has also built multidisciplinary coalitions and task forces around shared visions and goals.

Additionally, Lindsey has consulted for public safety agencies across the country to minimize overdose risk by working with public and behavioral health partners to implement sustainable solutions based on meaningful partnerships. In 2017, Lindsey was awarded the U.S. Attorney’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cooperative Law Enforcement.

Prior to her work in overdose prevention, Lindsey coordinated community suicide prevention efforts in her hometown of Juneau, located in Áak’w Kwáan Territory in Southeast, Alaska.

Lindsey has a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from the Colorado School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in public health, focused on health promotion and behavior, from Oregon State University.