Welcoming Kate Shaffer: OHU's New Vice President of Legal Affairs and Risk Management

In her executive leadership role, Kate oversees the organization’s legal strategy, compliance framework, and enterprise risk management functions, ensuring that One Hope United operates with integrity, transparency, and accountability across all programs and service areas. She serves as a key advisor to the senior leadership team and board of directors on legal, regulatory, and risk-related matters.

With a deep commitment to mission-driven work, Kate brings strategic vision and practical legal expertise to advancing organizational resilience, safeguarding institutional reputation, and mitigating legal and operational risk. Her portfolio encompasses contract negotiation and review, policy development, risk assessment and mitigation planning, corporate governance, and organizational compliance with applicable laws and standards. Kate is known for her collaborative leadership style, balancing strong legal acumen with a pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach that supports sustainable impact.

Prior to joining One Hope United, Kate built extensive experience in legal practice and risk management at Ag Growth International, a global manufacturer in the agriculture industry. She is licensed to practice law in Florida and Illinois. Kate’s professional experience spans both government and corporate environments, where she has partnered with multidisciplinary teams to strengthen organizational systems and protect institutional interests. In the two years prior to joining One Hope United, she taught at Ave Maria School of Law.

Kate holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University.