Colleen works as a financial advisor for Somnio Wealth. Prior to that, she worked as a financial advisor with ARGI Financial Group and as an Economic Development Manager for Louisville Metro Government. She previously served as a State Department Foreign Service Officer and worked at the U.S. Embassies in Mexico City and Beijing. In Washington, she served in the State Department’s Office of Korean Affairs and on a detail assignment at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Colleen has also worked as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton and Accenture. She studied for a year at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and obtained a B.S. in international affairs from Georgetown University. She speaks Spanish and has studied French and Chinese.
Colleen joined Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana’s Board in 2021 and also currently serves on the Session of Highland Presbyterian Church. Previously she chaired the board of Shively Area Ministries and served as Vice Board Chair of the Anchorage Independent School District. She and her husband Mike Abate live in Louisville, Kentucky with their two children. When she is not driving them to their various activities, she enjoys walking, practicing yoga, and traveling.