Kate McKee
In Remembrance
We are saddened to share the tragic news that our colleague and Commonwealth Board member, Kate McKee, has passed away unexpectedly.
Kate served on the Commonwealth board for over 8 years, and was committed to financial inclusion in the United States and internationally through research, innovation, and policy. Kate was a financial innovator with a long and influential career in financial inclusion.
Kate led the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)’s research, writing, and policy advisory work on consumer protection in developing countries. She also worked closely with the Smart Campaign and investors to develop and implement consensus standards for improved protection of microfinance clients. Kate directed the Microenterprise Development office at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and also led the start-up of a government fund to invest in Community Development Financial Institutions and provide incentives for mainstream financial institutions to boost community development lending.
Kate combined a profound care for others, humanity, humility, professionalism, and deep commitment. We will miss her voice dearly on our Board.
We send our deepest condolences to her family. Information regarding donations in lieu of flowers is forthcoming.
Remembering Kate – Thoughts from Our Executive Director
Kate was the first Board member to seek out Commonwealth (then D2D Fund) specifically for Board service. In our first meeting, she previewed the qualities she’d bring to the Board: truly keen and exceptional listening, deeply thoughtful reflections, and sharp and insightful observations. While her intellect and wide-ranging experience were immediately clear, it was also obvious that her interest in Board service was simply about wanting to help. Throughout her time on the Board, this remained the case. I always knew Kate served for the sole purpose to support the organization and its mission—and to provide support to me as its leader, during my first role as Executive Director.
Timothy Flacke
From first contact and consistently thereafter, Kate was gracious, generous, and kind—someone who took time to notice and thoughtfully comment on the positive. Even when I had disappointing news to deliver, Kate was the sort of person who recognized when I could use a thoughtful word of reassurance. When she had feedback or a suggestion, she always took care to deliver it with humility and a gentle touch, ensuring others had room to disagree or express a different perspective. When I was invited last year to speak on an international panel, Kate was my first email, as someone with deep international expertise who I could learn from. Whenever I was in DC and reached out for lunch, Kate always made the time to catch up.
Kate served on our Board Development Committee and I was grateful to have her in that role. I knew her experience and judgment would help us identify the strongest candidates—but I suspect her warmth and openness were even more important, placing candidates at ease and making them want to join us.”
