Meet Kate, a nature enthusiast and marketing and communications wiz. She's an award-winning, dynamic professional recognized for her strategic vision, creative prowess, and passion for promoting social causes and environmental stewardship.
With a heart as big as her love for the great outdoors, Kate's journey towards environmentalism started early. From summers spent along the banks of the Grand River to winters exploring towering hardwood forests, Kate's spent plenty of time mosquito bitten and sun-kissed.
But she’s got more than a penchant for walks in the woods — she's passionate about creating positive change with mission-driven institutions through her leadership, impactful storytelling, and creative marketing campaigns. With over seven years of experience helping organizations strategically communicate their values, motivate their audiences, and raise millions of dollars, Kate is on a mission to leave the world a little better (and greener) than she found it.
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her history
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her work
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her history
education
MS Marketing
Specialization in Brand Communication
University of Colorado - Denver | May, 2025
BS Sustainable Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Minor in Environmental Studies & Sustainability
Michigan State University | May, 2018
experience
Marketing and Communications Consultant
Independent Contractor
Remote, Ohio | March 2024 - Present
Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Remote, Ohio | November 2022 - March 2024
Communications Director
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio
Remote, Ohio | September 2022 - November 2022
Creative & Communications Director
Cincinnati Parks Foundation
Cincinnati, Ohio | June 2019 - September 2022
Communications Specialist
Cincinnati Parks Foundation
Cincinnati, Ohio | October 2018 - June 2019
Marketing & Communications Specialist
Cincinnati Parks, City of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio | August 2018 - July 2019
Communications Assistant
Department of Forestry, Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan | January 2017 - May 2018
other experience
Park Ranger
National Parks Service, Sleeping Bear Dunes
Empire, Michigan | April 2018 - August 2018
Marketing & Communications Intern
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Lansing, Michigan | January 2018 - April 2018
Video Productions Assistant
MSU Office of Communications & Brand Strategy
East Lansing, Michigan | October 2017 - April 2018
Community Engagement Scholar
MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning & Office of the President
East Lansing, Michigan | August 2016 - May 2017
volunteer leadership
Board Member
Groundwork Ohio River Valley
Cincinnati, Ohio | 2023
President
Pleasant Ridge Community Council
Cincinnati, Ohio | 2022-2023
Marketing Committee Member
Tri-State Trails
Cincinnati, Ohio | 2021-Present
Board Member
Ohio Climbers Coalition
Remote, Ohio | 2019-2021
awards
Forty Under 40
Cincinnati Business Courier
Cincinnati, Ohio | August 2022
12th Annual Governor’s Award for Parks and Recreation
Ohio Parks and Recreation Association & Governor Mike DeWine
Cincinnati, Ohio | February 2022
Bowdie McDowell Scholarship
Outdoor Writers Association of America
East Lansing, Michigan | June 2019
Faculty Award
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
East Lansing, Michigan | Mar 2018
Future Professionals Showcase Honoree
Michigan Recreation and Parks Association
Lansing, Michigan | February 2018
George Lea Founder's Scholarship
Public Lands Foundation
Lansing, Michigan | September 2017
her clients
Using Marketing and Communications to Change the Course of History
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, 2023
Summary: In 2023, reproductive rights advocates and citizens across the state started the movement to enshrine reproductive rights into the Ohio State Constitution through a ballot initiative. This was a historic and monumental effort. The Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio Marketing and Communications team (PPGOH MarCom team) rose to the challenge.
Involvement: Kate collaborated with her Director of Communications and Director of Marketing to develop a comprehensive strategy to help pass Issue 1. She provided creative and communications direction and served as PPGOH's main project manager of this massive, complex, and crucial mission.
Defining a Brand
Cincinnati Parks Foundation, 2020
Summary: Before Kate joined the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the organization had no brand standards beyond a logo and color. Additionally, it lacked a cohesive marketing and communications strategy that could uplift accomplishments and bring in new supporters. The website was hard to navigate, and worse, hard to make a donation on.
Involvement: Kate executed a complete brand refresh which included the redirection of key messaging and defining the visual style, brand personality, brand standards, and new website. She also incorporated new digital fundraising tools for the organization which expanded online giving and increased monthly recurring gifts by 233% in the first year of implementation.
Want to see the website Kate created?
Check it out on cincinnatiparksfoundation.org
Please note: Kate has not been with CPF since 2022 and some of the site's content has been updated by current staff.
Leveraging Branded Content for Storytelling
Cincinnati Parks Foundation, 2021
Summary: Kate has successfully leveraged branded journalism for effective mission storytelling. She's worked with organizations like LocaliQ, The Business Journals, and local news outlets like Local12, to create meaningful content that boosts brand awareness and authority. Each year, the Cincinnati Parks Foundation hosts the Hats Off Luncheon to raise over $500,000 of unrestricted funds. As one of many benefits, sponsors are offered name or logo inclusion in a 6-page spread inserted in a timely Sunday edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Involvement: Kate’s multifaceted role encompassed negotiating a significant $50,000 in-kind trade for the feature, capturing evocative photographs, and crafting the articles featured within. Additionally, Kate collaborated closely with the pagination manager to ensure a visually appealing layout that effectively communicated the Foundation's message.
Want to see more of Kate's branded content?
Check it out on cincinnati.com and cincinnatibusinesscourier.com
Evoking Emotion, Inspiring Action
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, 2024
Summary: Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio welcomed the return of its largest fundraising galas in the spring of 2024. With the goal of raising one million dollars through ticket sales and sponsorships, these events also included additional at-event fundraising. To inspire attendees and communicate the work in an impactful way, two videos were created: one to play as the event opener, as the other just before the big "ask."
Involvement: Kate led the charge of the development of these videos by collaborating with SunnyBlu Art Agency. To create impactful and creative storytelling, poet Desirae Hosley was commissioned to write custom poems to drive the videos forward. Overall, Kate provided script writing and editing, overall creative direction, and was the main project manager.
Communicating Outcomes that Inspire
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, 2024
Summary: Each year, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio releases their fiscal year annual report. The report gives a comprehensive look at what the team achieved from serving patients to providing sexual health information or advocating for political change.
Involvement: Kate led the charge of the development and design this annual report by leading a multilevel team of six talented creatives. She provided creative and communications direction and served as the main project manager. She ensured the piece was thematic and meaningfully communicated not just outputs, but critical outcomes.
Want to see a sister document aimed at fundraising over $10 million?
Check out the PPGOH Case For Support that Kate led her team in creating.
'Hats Off Around the World, Picnic in Your Parks' Promotion
Cincinnati Parks Foundation, 2020
Summary: The Cincinnati Parks Foundation's Annual Hats Off Luncheon takes on a new theme year after year. In 2020, the theme leaned into the diverse cultures and communities that make up the Queen City. As the pandemic changed the world, the Foundation team pivoted the in-person event to a dispersed community picnic with a live-streamed digital experience.
Involvement: Kate led the charge of not only promoting this seasonal event, but wrote a 22-minute digital special when it became clear the event needed to pivot. From storyboarding to directing, Kate oversaw L!VE Productions in the creation of a beautiful piece that highlighted that organization's mission and the fun theme of the event.
Department of Forestry Promo Video
Michigan State University, 2017
Summary: The Michigan State University Department of Forestry sits within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Involvement: Kate worked directly with the Department of Forestry's Chairperson to create the main student recruitment video and communicate the unique brand differentiators of the program. She wrote the copy featured within, collected video from professors and students, as well as filmed her own content. She edited and produced the finished piece.
Photography
2019 - 2023
Summary: Kate has taken a lot of photos in her many roles as a hobbyist, freelancer, staff, and volunteer. Below are some of her favorite photos of nature and folks enjoying their public spaces through volunteerism, rallies, and recreation. Click on an image to take a closer look.
Did someone say unicorn? She's got the know how and the skills to lead and inspire a team of creatives, collaborate with vendors, or roll up her sleeves and get the work done herself. She's skilled in team leadership, writing, photography, videography, strategic planning, social media, and so much more. Here's just a taste of her favorite projects.
her work
contact her
Interested in learning more about Kate or seeing more of her work? Send her an email or connect on LinkedIn!
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