Katie Appel

Katie Appel joined Free Wheelchair Mission in 2026 as its Director of Program Partnerships. In this role, she is dedicated to cultivating meaningful, collaborative relationships with partners and colleagues around the world.

Katie has spent her career advancing effective global collaboration, working primarily with international organizations such as Plan International and the International Rescue Committee. Most recently, she served as a senior leader on three multimillion‑dollar initiatives focused on youth development, education, and violence prevention.

Katie holds a BA from the University of Virginia and an MA in International Development Studies from George Washington University. After living and working in Guatemala for many years, she has returned to her hometown of Arlington, Virginia, where she lives with her husband and daughter. She is a Spanish speaker and an enthusiastic fan of the Washington Nationals.