Professional Overview
As a strategic communicator and project manager with deep roots in education, nonprofits, and the arts, I specialize in crafting inclusive messaging, building community engagement, and leading mission-driven marketing campaigns. Whether managing multimillion-dollar school initiatives or amplifying underrepresented voices through storytelling, I bring a unique blend of creativity, collaboration, and executional strength to every project.
I hold a BA from Minnesota State University–Moorhead and have completed 16 graduate credits in Library and Information Technology at St. Cloud State University. With extensive experience in communications and a diverse background as an educator, I bring both heart and strategy to the work. Below are selected highlights from my professional journey.
I hold a BA from Minnesota State University–Moorhead and have completed 16 graduate credits in Library and Information Technology at St. Cloud State University. With extensive experience in communications and a diverse background as an educator, I bring both heart and strategy to the work. Below are selected highlights from my professional journey.
Communications, Marketing, and Development Experience
SUMMIT Presents (Independent Contractor) · 2022–Present
Lead publicity and content strategy for artist showcases, album releases, literary projects, and donor stewardship/stakeholder engagement. Develop press campaigns, manage newsletters, and design social content to elevate visibility and drive engagement.
📣 Earn press in MPR, Star Tribune, Americana UK, and other major media outlets
📝 Write artist bios, press releases, media kits, and promotional materials
📧 Manage email marketing and social media strategy (Mailchimp, Canva, Meta suite)
🤝 Build and maintain donor relationships to strengthen long-term support
📊 Track contributions and create impact reports for stakeholders
🗣️ Coordinate outreach and communication to align funders with organizational goals
Lead publicity and content strategy for artist showcases, album releases, literary projects, and donor stewardship/stakeholder engagement. Develop press campaigns, manage newsletters, and design social content to elevate visibility and drive engagement.
📣 Earn press in MPR, Star Tribune, Americana UK, and other major media outlets
📝 Write artist bios, press releases, media kits, and promotional materials
📧 Manage email marketing and social media strategy (Mailchimp, Canva, Meta suite)
🤝 Build and maintain donor relationships to strengthen long-term support
📊 Track contributions and create impact reports for stakeholders
🗣️ Coordinate outreach and communication to align funders with organizational goals
| Maggie's Farm Theater - Sept 19th Fundraiser Event - News Release |
| Maggie's Farm Theater - Social Media Campaign |
Various Roles Including Everwood Farmstead Foundation, The Children’s Theatre Company, Washburn Child Guidance Center
- Marketing Collateral & Campaigns:
Led the development, production, and distribution of print and digital marketing materials—including brochures, direct mailers, spec sheets, capabilities pieces, advertisements, and POS materials. Oversaw writing, graphic design, photography, and proofreading to ensure brand alignment and messaging clarity. - Web Development & Digital Content:
Created new content and visual updates for customer websites. Reorganized and maintained internal intranet sites used by global distributors, improving usability and access to sales and marketing resources. - Advertising & Media Planning:
Managed advertising strategy, budgets, and placements for national trade publications and local newspapers—driving awareness and engagement with target audiences. - Public Relations & Media Outreach:
Created and maintained a media database of over 1,200 local and national press contacts. Directed publicity for seasonal theater campaigns, contributing to two consecutive years of record-breaking single ticket sales for Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas at The Children’s Theatre Company. - Sales & Audience Development:
Supported marketing initiatives that drove record subscription growth. Exceeded group sales targets by 13% through strategic outreach, campaign alignment, and promotional partnerships. - Team & Event Management:
Hired and supervised event personnel for civic and promotional appearances, representing organizations with professionalism and building strong community relationships. - Donor Stewardship & Stakeholder Engagement:
Built and maintained donor relationships, tracked contributions, and created impact reports. Coordinated outreach and communication to align funders with organizational goals and strengthen long-term support.
Project Management Highlights
Mackin Education Resources · 2018–2025
Managed large-scale library buildouts and educational initiatives across the U.S., supporting diverse book collections, future-ready spaces, and literacy programming.
💡 Oversaw $20K–$500K+ budgets for new school media centers
🤝 Partnered with librarians to curate relevant, inclusive collections
📦 Led cataloging, scheduling, delivery, and on-site installation logistics
Managed large-scale library buildouts and educational initiatives across the U.S., supporting diverse book collections, future-ready spaces, and literacy programming.
💡 Oversaw $20K–$500K+ budgets for new school media centers
🤝 Partnered with librarians to curate relevant, inclusive collections
📦 Led cataloging, scheduling, delivery, and on-site installation logistics
| Building a Diverse Book Collection |
Writing Samples
Blog Contributor · MackinCommunity.com
Research-based articles on literacy, equity, and student engagement.
Most-read article of 2022: "Glimpses into a Better Understanding of the Human Experience Through New Poetry Books"
Research-based articles on literacy, equity, and student engagement.
Most-read article of 2022: "Glimpses into a Better Understanding of the Human Experience Through New Poetry Books"
| 5 Benefits of Reading Picture Books Aloud to Secondary Students |
| Books - Help Guide Convos about Race, Racism, and Antiracism |
| Partnering Fiction & NonFiction in Classroom Libraries |
| 3 Important Steps in Creating Interesting Book Talks |
Professional Development Educator
Led Professional Development workshops and keynotes on literacy, makerspaces, and education technology.
🧰 “Maker-spacing Your Distance Learning” – Webinar, Mackin Professional Learning
🛠️ “Literacy and Making : Transforming your Workshop into a Makerspace" professional learning workshop at TIES Conference
🧪 Maker Education Hands-on workshops – Best Prep, Minnesota Technology Integration Workshop & Arrowhead Library System, Minnesota
🧰 “Maker-spacing Your Distance Learning” – Webinar, Mackin Professional Learning
🛠️ “Literacy and Making : Transforming your Workshop into a Makerspace" professional learning workshop at TIES Conference
🧪 Maker Education Hands-on workshops – Best Prep, Minnesota Technology Integration Workshop & Arrowhead Library System, Minnesota
| Presentation - Makerspace in the Media Center |
Public School Educator
| Supporting Adolescent Striving Readers with Engaging Texts |
💡 Director of MakerSpace in the Media Center at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School · 2017-2018
Making and tinkering are powerful and empowering ways to learn. A Makerspace in the Media Center is an outlet for students to fuel engagement, creativity, and curiosity.
Making and tinkering are powerful and empowering ways to learn. A Makerspace in the Media Center is an outlet for students to fuel engagement, creativity, and curiosity.
| 5 Factors When Offering MakerSpace Experiences in the Media Center |
Outreach & Advocacy
As a young survivor of breast cancer and published author, Katy connects with communities through music, books, and speaking engagements.
🎶 Fundraiser concerts for Gilda's Club-MN at Icehouse-Mpls & Angel Foundation at 318 Cafe in Excelsior
🎤 Guest speaker for Young Survival Coalition, various churches, and women's groups
🏥 Performer at Children’s Hospitals (Star Studios) and MN Children's Hospital
🦸♀️ Spokesmodel for Breast Cancer Superhero Portrait Project
🎶 Fundraiser concerts for Gilda's Club-MN at Icehouse-Mpls & Angel Foundation at 318 Cafe in Excelsior
🎤 Guest speaker for Young Survival Coalition, various churches, and women's groups
🏥 Performer at Children’s Hospitals (Star Studios) and MN Children's Hospital
🦸♀️ Spokesmodel for Breast Cancer Superhero Portrait Project
Katy is a self published author of two picture books:
- Our Mama is a Beautiful Garden: A family's breast cancer journey as told through the innocent and sweet voices of two young brothers.
- Hero Now Crowned: A magical reimagining of Katy Tessman’s song Hero Now Crowned.