Kathia Dimas 

CHCI Public Policy Fellow

Presented by RTX 

Hometown: Crete, Nebraska 

School: University of Nebraska at Omaha 

Degree: B.S in Business Administration 

Placement: Office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto 

Kathia Dimas (she/her) grew up in the town of Crete, Nebraska, a community sustained by agriculture and manufacturing and home to a large immigrant population. As the daughter of two Mexican immigrants, she saw how grit and integrity could open doors, but also how structural barriers often made those doors harder to access. Surrounded by neighbors working long hours in labor-intensive jobs, she witnessed the toll that unsafe conditions and limited protections can take on people who form the backbone of the nation’s economy.

These early experiences shaped her belief that hard work alone is not enough; it must be met with fair protection and policy. Kathia developed a deep interest in how economic and business policy can either reinforce inequality or create meaningful opportunities. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and a commitment to advancing policies that protect workers, expand financial access, and deliver for the rural and working-class communities that keep the country running. 

Kathia’s passion for economic justice and her desire to better understand how systems and institutions impact everyday people led her to study Business Administration and Spanish at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. During college, she held leadership roles on campus, mentored a local elementary student through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, and gained cross-sector experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. She interned at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and worked in employee-focused roles at various businesses. As a Scholar with Free the Facts, she worked on an independent project that supported the organization’s leadership programs and helped advanced fiscal policy education among young Americans. These experiences strengthened her skills in public engagement and deepened her commitment to building a more inclusive economy, one where thoughtful, people centered policy expands opportunity and protects the dignity of work. 

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Kathia hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process, including how policy is developed, negotiated, and implemented. She is excited to learn how lawmakers navigate complex issues and craft legislation that drives meaningful change.