Our Story
Aurora partners met while working in the U.S. Department of State in the early 2000s. Our diplomatic work focused on democracy, human rights, and justice sector programs and policy in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Along with practitioner foreign policy experience, Aurora partners all have Ph.D. training in field research and mixed-methods quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Today, we come together to offer a diverse set of skills to answer your needs. From evaluation services to strategic planning, we love working with organizations to help you rise to your potential.
Katie Mclain
Katie has a PhD in History at Montana State University where her research focused on the history of illicit drug controls in the United States. Her background includes over ten years of work experience with the federal government on domestic and international counter-narcotics and crime prevention programs. Katie works as a consultant with local communities and organizations to build and fund substance use prevention and justice sector programs. She currently manages the Montana Community Action Network. Her area expertise includes rule of law programming, Central America security sector, community policing, international drug policy, poverty reduction programs and community action.
Elise Rainer
Elise is an assistant professor of international relations and former diplomat with the U.S. State Department, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, and USAID. Her work has shaped U.S. human rights foreign policy and human rights and democracy programs in North Africa and the Gulf. With a Ph.D. in International Studies, Elise offers qualitative research methods expertise and writing and editing experience with multiple publications in peer reviewed journals. Elise was a Fulbright Scholar and Presidential Management Fellow and has curriculum design experience for online and in-person university courses. Her expertise includes gender and diplomacy, human rights and security, the Kurdish diaspora, nationalism, European Union institutions and Scandinavian politics, LGBTI rights, and U.S. foreign policy formation.