Catherine Sackey
Rutgers Email:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/
Website: https://www.catherinesackey.
Degree(s):
M.A. Political Science – United Nations & Global Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Master of Public Affairs and Politics, Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
B.A. Sociology, Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Research Interests:
Deliberative democracy, political psychology, women in power and political leadership, public reasoning, global policy, governance systems, social policy, civic infrastructure, theology, impact measurement, and cross-sector collaboration.
Bio:
Catherine Sackey is a policy strategist, researcher, and systems architect whose work focuses on governance, public reasoning, social policy, and rebuilding trust between institutions and communities. Her academic and professional work examines how governments, nonprofits, and civic organizations can move beyond fragmented systems toward more coordinated and people-centered approaches to policy implementation and public engagement.
Catherine earned her M.A. in Political Science with a concentration in United Nations and Global Policy from Rutgers University, building upon her previous Master of Public Affairs and Politics (MPAP) from Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Her research focuses on deliberative democracy, political psychology, comparative governance, women in political leadership, and impact measurement systems for government and NGO collaboration. She is currently developing “The Statistical Sackey Model of Deliberative Character,” a framework that explores how public reasoning and institutional responsiveness contribute to democratic legitimacy beyond electoral participation alone.
Professionally, Catherine is the Founder and CEO of Policy Over Politics (POP) Consulting LLC, a New Jersey-certified MWBE consulting firm that provides strategic planning, policy analysis, grant development, impact measurement, and capacity-building support to nonprofits, community organizations, and public-sector partners. She also leads POP LABS, a civic infrastructure initiative focused on building collaborative, data-informed community hubs that improve coordination between social service providers, government agencies, and local institutions.
Before launching her consulting work, Catherine worked within higher education and public service spaces supporting student success, policy coordination, and cross-department collaboration. Her broader professional background includes more than 20 years of leadership and operational management experience across hospitality, nonprofit, and community-centered organizations, experiences that continue to shape her systems-oriented approach to governance and organizational development.
In addition to her academic and consulting work, Catherine’s academic and professional honors include induction into Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society; recognition as a 2024 Princeton P3 Scholar; selection as a Class of 2026 Lead New Jersey Fellow; and multiple Rutgers academic honors reflecting her commitment to scholarship, public service, and community-centered leadership.