about me
My name is Katelyn Holappa, and I’m running to be your Ward 6 Councilor because I value civic engagement and want to ensure that our community has a strong voice in Salem. Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me and for considering my candidacy!
I was born in Beverly Hospital and raised on the North Shore. After high school, I went to Lafayette College and stayed in Pennsylvania for ten years until homesickness brought me back to Massachusetts. During the pandemic, my partner Amber and I moved to Salem with our rescue dog Pepper, and since then, our little family has grown with the addition of another rescue, Milo.
I'm an Eagle Scout
I grew up in Boy Scout Troop 28 Wenham and earned the rank of Eagle, the highest in scouting, in 2012. Working towards my Eagle rank taught me the value of self-improvement, of life-long learning, of personal loyalty, and of kindness, but perhaps most importantly, being an Eagle Scout instilled in me the value of community and civic engagement.
I’m a Lifelong Learner
At Lafayette College, I earned dual degrees, a bachelor of arts with a concentration in art history and a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering. This experience taught me how important it is to both celebrate and critique our past in order to make informed decisions in the present, and to innovate for the future.
My love of learning and the pursuit of personal growth has never dwindled. Some of my recent deep-dives have been focused on specific niches of information technology (IT) and city planning, design and urbanism. I value the perspective I gain from putting in the work to better myself, and I love to share those experiences when I can (tech tip: try turning it off and back on again, it really does fix most tech problems including general sluggishness!).
I’m a local advocate and volunteer
If you’re in a meeting in Salem about transportation or infrastructure, please say hi! I’ll be the girl in the plaid! I strongly believe in the importance of public engagement in government at all levels, but especially at the local level. As a Salem community member, I regularly attend meetings of the Bicycling and Shared Path Advisory Committee, the Transportation Commission, and the City Council. I’m also a volunteer for local organizations like NAGLY and the Mack Park Farm Community Garden, and attend meetings of the Salem Commoner and the Safe Walking Advocacy Group.
I’m a collaborator and active listener
Professionally, I work as a Software Development Manager at the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), a mission driven non-profit that works to increase diversity in the field of law, administers the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), and develops much of the software used in law school admissions. There, I manage a small software development team of five and empower them to efficiently and effectively solve complex problems. I strive to facilitate an open and collaborative environment, to support and listen to their ideas, and to address issues that get in the way of their work. I also coordinate with nearly a dozen stakeholders across the organization to identify opportunities for growth and innovation. I endeavor to put the needs of my team and my stakeholders first and to foster a culture where everyone is respected and heard.
We also share pictures of our dogs a lot.
I’m around, and want to hear from you!
Really, I do! If you see me riding by bike around town, please wave me down and say hello! Also, if you have a moment to send an email or meet for coffee, I would love to hear about what you think is important in our neighborhood and in our city. I promise to listen and work to understand your perspective.
