Katie brings extensive experience in media relations, crisis communications, public engagement, change management and leadership to her role as an account supervisor at Nyhus. Her areas of subject-matter expertise include environmental issues, public policy and government. Katie specializes in highly regulated industries and knows how to bring the public, private and nonprofit sectors together so that everyone succeeds.

Prior to joining Nyhus, Katie spent two years leading a dynamic team to advance the state of Washington’s mission to protect air quality, building on her knowledge of public policy and environmental regulation. Katie’s career in public service includes 12 years in communications at transportation and environmental agencies. Katie developed and executed a local air agency’s first comprehensive, professional communications program to raise awareness about pollution and environmental initiatives, and she delivered end-to-end campaigns to communicate the agency’s regulatory role in controversial industry proposals.

Her interest in the field of communications propelled her to work as a producer for the leading provider of conferences and online training to PR, media relations and corporate communications professionals. Katie began her communications career by covering news and events at daily newspapers in Montana and Washington, where she won several Northwest Excellence in Journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Katie is pursuing her master’s degree in Communication Leadership at the University of Washington, with a focus on digital media. She also earned her undergraduate degree from UW in English literature, and, after graduating, studied journalism there.

Katie grew up on Bainbridge Island and is a shameless enthusiast for the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys spending time in the mountains with her daughter, Josie, and her husband, Jason. Katie traded in her skis for a snowboard in the late ‘90s and can now claim being mediocre at both sports. Although her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina didn’t pan out, Katie remains a dance fan and season-ticket holder for Pacific Northwest Ballet. When she’s not at work or in school, you’ll often find Katie reading books, playing games of Josie’s invention or sipping an IPA.