Avenues for Youth

Katherine Meerse is Executive Director of Avenues for Youth, a nonprofit that partners with youth experiencing homelessness to achieve their dreams. Katherine joined the Avenues staff in 2018, coming from Hennepin County Health and Human Services where, as Manager of Youth Education, she led the county's work to ensure education success for children and youth receiving county services. Her prior role as Initiative Manager for "Better Together Hennepin" led a county-wide youth development and teen pregnancy prevention program. 

Before joining Hennepin County, Katherine held leadership roles at Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. She has a PhD in US Women's History from the University of Minnesota and brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and government sectors to Avenues.