Nathan Davis-- moved into his freshman dorm at the University of Pennsylvania on August 29, 2005—the same day that Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the Gulf Coast and devastated New Orleans, Louisiana. This disaster and its aftermath brought into focus the questions that have driven his intellectual and professional life since: why are some people left behind by economic and social systems, and what can be done about it? These questions led to an academic focus on race- and place-based disparities in education, and to a firm belief that eliminating those disparities represents perhaps the best and most sustainable hope to fight poverty and create opportunities for all families. Upon his graduation from college, Nate moved back home to Colorado and worked in a residential treatment center for adolescents, in public policy, and in grant-writing, prior to his current role as Program Manager in Mile High United Way’s Community Investment Division. In this role, he helps to implement Mile High United Way’s strategic plan to create positive community change in the areas of School Readiness, Youth Success, and Adult Self-Sufficiency; manages relationships with nonprofit and government partner agencies; and represents Mile High United Way at community events. Nate also teaches Law School Admission Test (LSAT) courses for TestMasters. He holds a B.A. magna cum laude in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.