Katrina is a first generation Armenian-American, born and raised in Queens, New York. She attributes her affinity for travel, and learning about different cultures to growing up immersed in a rich cultural tradition at home, and the diverse sites and sounds of New York City right outside of it. She will be serving in Nairobi, Kenya with Strathmore University and the Kiva Zip Team. Prior to joining the Kiva Fellows Program, Katrina was an educator. An alumnus of Teach for America, she taught elementary level English Language Learners in the South Bronx, and middle school mathematics at KIPP AMP Academy in Brooklyn. Through teaching, Katrina sought to give back to the city that raised her, empowering children with knowledge and tools to build fulfilling and self-sufficient lives. Katrina is interested in microfinance for the same reasons. She seeks to understand poverty in a global context, and explore the roles of different tools in alleviating it. She is ecstatic to begin this journey, through which she'll better understand and contribute to cutting edge initiatives in sustainable development.