Kristin Olsen-Cate is a former state and local elected official in California and a Partner at California Strategies, LLC, the state’s largest public affairs consulting firm where she helps others effectively advocate within the government sphere and political landscape on a variety of subjects at both the local and state levels. She was a Stanislaus County Supervisor and Board Member of the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District until 2021, and a member of the California State Assembly until 2016, where she represented communities in the San Joaquin Valley and Sierra Foothills while also serving as one of the top four legislative leaders.
While serving as California’s Assembly Minority Leader from 2014-2016, Olsen-Cate developed a statewide reputation as a dynamic, forward-thinking leader – “the sort of person the Republicans need” (LA Daily News) and whom Democratic Governor Jerry Brown described as “pragmatic and effective.” In her San Joaquin Valley district, she earned high marks as a bipartisan consensus builder whose “party affiliation was of less importance than her Valley affiliation” (Modesto Bee). She was often cited by both Republican and Democratic peers, as well as by reporters in the media, as one of the most effective legislators, known for building solid bipartisan relationships. President Pro Tem of the State Senate, Toni Atkins, states, “Kristin is an incredibly skilled negotiator and never quits or gives up.”
As a consultant and lobbyist, Olsen-Cate represents clients on a wide variety of topics including but not limited to energy, water, land use, agriculture, healthcare, recycling, labor law, general business, sports betting, and wildfires. During her legislative tenure, she served on the Water (Vice Chair), Insurance, Agriculture (Vice Chair), Health, Privacy, Education (Vice Chair), and Higher Education (Vice Chair) Committees. She helped negotiate and pass the 2014 Water Bond and was active in a myriad of policy issues, with emphasis on water, agriculture, education, and government reform.
Olsen-Cate has served on a number of non-profit boards including Legacy Health Endowment, the Problem Solvers Foundation, CA Women Lead, CA Competes, Women in California Politics, and the UC Fiat Lux Alliance. Her prior work experience includes service on the Modesto City Council (2005-2010) and executive positions at CSU Stanislaus and the California Restaurant Association.
Olsen-Cate is an Aspen-Rodel Fellow, a magna cum laude graduate of Westmont College, and a devoted mother. She and her husband, Matt Cate, split their time between Modesto and Sacramento, CA, and have a blended family of five children – one grown, three in college, and the youngest in high school. Matt and Kristin love traveling, skiing, music, golf, and visiting their kids.
