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Meet the People Behind the Platform | Katie Branch

Welcome to JustFund’s People Behind the Platform series, where we introduce our incredible team! Today, we are thrilled to introduce Katie Branch, JustFund’s Director of Customer Experience.


Before joining the JustFund team in October 2022, I spent the last decade working in philanthropy. I planned national galas at the National WWII Museum, raised funds for reproductive justice in the deep south, and supported organizations in the tech-for-good space to obtain access to capacity-building resources.

As soon as JustFund came onto my radar, I knew I wanted to be a part of the organization! My years of fundraising showed me the unbelievably difficult and inequitable barriers organizations must navigate to obtain essential resources to do their mission work. JustFund is stripping that away, moving millions of dollars with minimal effort on the applicant’s side, so that organizations can focus on what is really important. I was lucky to work for large organizations that had capacity for fundraising, but there are thousands of organizations doing just as important work with only a volunteer at the helm. They should be on an equal playing field, and JustFund gives them the chance to be. I feel so lucky to be sitting in a position to push philanthropy forward in this way.

Outside of JustFund, I’m a true New Orleanian. I believe there is always a need to be in a costume. I love exploring new restaurants and have recently added a daughter to the krewe! Our weekends are full of walking through beautiful City Park, dancing to tunes (something local if possible, Elmo if not), and searching for a cocktail to enjoy al fresco.

Iara Duarte Peng

Iara Duarte Peng

Iara Duarte Peng is the Founder and CEO of JustFund.

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