Get to Know Katie Tracy
Public Citizen News / Sept-Oct 2026
This article appeared in the Sept/Oct 2026 edition of Public Citizen News. Download the full edition here.
For Katie Tracy, regulatory policy sits at the intersection of issues that first drew her to public-interest law: protecting workers, safeguarding consumers, and holding institutions accountable for their impact on communities and the environment. Her career has given her a view of those challenges from multiple sides of the regulatory process, including nonprofit advocacy and federal government service. As senior regulatory policy advocate at Public Citizen, she now brings that perspective to work focused on strengthening the laws and policies that protect people’s health and economic security.
Tracy earned her undergraduate degree in business administration from the College of Charleston before getting a law degree at American University Washington College of Law, where her interests in climate change, workers’ rights, and consumer protection led her to administrative law. Her professional experiences have reinforced her belief in the importance of effective government, collaboration, and public-interest advocacy. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her time with her family and traveling.
Q: You first came to Public Citizen as a regulatory policy intern in 2011 and now have returned as a senior regulatory policy advocate. How does it feel to come back to an organization where your public-interest career first began?
It feels full circle. I’m honored to have the opportunity to bring what I’ve learned over the past decade to this premier advocacy organization. At Public Citizen, I get to work with an incredible team to ensure corporations are stopped from taking dangerous and unethical shortcuts that harm people’s health and economic security.
Q: Could you briefly describe your work at the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission?
At OSHRC, I served as chief counsel to Chair Cynthia L. Attwood. My primary responsibility was to provide legal counsel to the chair on all cases pending review before the commission. I also served as the congressional and White House liaison on commissioner nominations and as chief of staff on administrative matters. My government experience was invaluable in many ways. In particular, it reinforced my respect for the expertise, dedication, and resilience of the federal workforce. As I pursue my current work, I often reflect on how various proposals affect federal agencies’ missions and the employees who have dedicated their careers to carrying them out.
Q: What does a typical day at Public Citizen look like?
Every day is a little bit different. Some days are spent opining on proposed bills, while others are spent on deep research. What is always consistent is the mission and collaborative nature of the work. I get to collaborate daily with partners within and outside Public Citizen to advance meaningful legal and policy reforms that improve people’s daily lives.
Q: You’ve worked in advocacy and government. How have those different vantage points changed the way you approach your work?
I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by exceptional thinkers and doers. Through mentorship and guidance, I’ve learned many cross-cutting skills that have made me better at my work. I’ve found that the most meaningful and successful work happens with early and frequent collaboration with others.
Q: Regulatory policy can involve long timelines and incremental victories. What keeps you motivated during the slower stretches?
I remember how lucky I am to have a job as an advocate doing something I’m passionate about. Not everyone has the opportunity to work toward something they find rewarding. Not every day is a victory, but I know I am contributing to a positive vision of society.