Catherine Orsborn, PhD

Catherine Orsborn is the Director of Program Operations at the El-Hibri Foundation. She brings to the role a professional background in nonprofit leadership and higher education, along with academic expertise in the intersections of religion and social change.

From 2014-2021, Catherine served as the Executive Director of the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign, an organization focused on equipping, connecting and mobilizing faith-based communities to advance American ideals by addressing issues of anti-Muslim bias in the United States.

Catherine also brings professional experience in higher education and academic research. Prior to her leadership of Shoulder to Shoulder, she was the Assistant Director of the Living and Learning Communities at the University of Denver and worked as a researcher at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies on the multi-year project, “Religion and Social Cohesion in Conflict-Affected Countries.” Catherine wrote her doctoral dissertation on religion, conflict and social cohesion in Lebanon and Bosnia-Herzegovina in comparative perspective. She has also taught undergraduate courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver, West Virginia University, and Belmont University.

Catherine received her undergraduate degree from Asbury University in Kentucky, and holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology.