Katie Simonson was named Biola's Director of Athletics Development in July 2026. She brings nearly a decade of experience in fundraising, donor relations and collegiate athletics to the department.
Simonson is also an assistant coach for Biola Women's Basketball, a role she has held since the 2025-26 season. That year the Eagles went 13-14 overall and 10-12 in PacWest play, a six-win improvement from the year before, and posted a 3.721 team GPA.
Before becoming Director of Athletics Development, Simonson served as a Donor Relations Officer at Claris Health, where she managed a portfolio of major donors, developed stewardship strategies and partnered with organizational leadership to identify and advance major gift prospects. She also helped strengthen the organization's fundraising efforts by supporting capital campaign initiatives, improving donor engagement and implementing strategies to reconnect with lapsed supporters.
Before her time at Claris Health, Simonson spent more than two years as an Advancement Officer for Major Gifts at Seattle Pacific University. She managed a portfolio of more than 250 major and planned gift donors with giving capacities of $25,000 or more, cultivating relationships with alumni and supporters while helping advance the university's fundraising priorities. Simonson also collaborated on major university events, including the 50-Year Reunion, President's Weekend and the Spring Thank You Dinner.
Simonson also brings extensive collegiate athletics experience after serving five seasons as an assistant women's basketball coach at Seattle Pacific from 2018-23. She led recruiting efforts while overseeing team operations, travel logistics, student-athlete onboarding, compliance responsibilities and summer camps. She also served as the primary liaison between the coaching staff, student-athletes and university administration while coordinating many of the program's day-to-day operations.
Earlier in her career, Simonson served as an Area Representative with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the Seattle Eastside region. She mentored high school and college student-athletes while leading fundraising efforts, cultivating donor relationships and expanding community engagement throughout the region.
Simonson was also a standout student-athlete at Seattle Pacific before beginning her career in collegiate athletics and advancement. Over 111 games from 2011-14, the 6-foot-2 forward averaged 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She was a two-time First Team All-GNAC selection and earned WBCA All-America Honorable Mention honors as a senior in 2014 after averaging 19.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. That same year, she was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team. She later played professionally in England.
She graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Communications and International Studies before earning a master's degree in International Relations from Durham University in England in 2016.
Simonson resides in Huntington Beach with her husband, Mike, who serves as Biola's head women's basketball coach.
