Throughout 20 years of marketing and communications experience my work has been guided by a passion for community and connecting people to places in ways that inspire and build lasting stewardship. What makes a place meaningful, why it matters, and how story and experience can move people to action.
I’ve led departments, and with a long nonprofit tenure, I’m as comfortable setting the course as I am rolling up my sleeves to get the work done. I’ve served as an urban development subject matter expert guiding development projects and public spaces. I’ve pivoted industries and built marketing functions inside an early-stage startup, learning to toss around terms like mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. And I’ve worked in agencies as the bridge between clients and creative teams. Each role helped me learn how to zoom out to see the big picture while keeping a close eye on the details.
More than anything, my drive to connect the dots has taught me:
How people choose places.
How organizations tell stories.
How data informs narrative.
How stakeholders align around shared purpose.
Community is the thread that runs through everything I do. I’m currently a member of the Channel District CRA Community Advisory Committee, and have served on boards and committees for organizations like the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Florida Theatre, Leadership Jacksonville, ULI North Florida, JASMYN, Rotary Club of Jacksonville, and the Murray Hill Preservation Association.
I also believe strong leaders are always learning and am a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 2020), ULI North Florida Center for Leadership (Class of 2019), and the International Downtown Association Emerging Leaders Fellowship (2018).
Beyond my career, I’m an avid traveler and a proud member of the All 50 States Club. Recently, my love for exploration has recently taken me across the pond to Europe, Africa and the Middle East in search of diverse landscapes, cultures and experiences.
This curiosity and love for new perspectives fuels both my work and my adventures, as I continually seek to discover what makes people and places thrive.
Until recently, I lived and worked in Downtown Jacksonville, Florida. As a dedicated community advocate, I was featured in some pretty cool profiles:
Downtown, Brooklyn & LaVilla — Find Your JAX Neighborhood Tour
JAXUSA Partnership
2023
The “Find Your JAX” Campaign received the 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Women of Influence 2022: Katherine Hardwick of Downtown Vision
Jacksonville Business Journal
2022
Babes Who Hustle: Katherine Hardwick
Now known as Each is Every.
2021
40 Under 40 – Katherine Hardwick
Jacksonville Business Journal
2019
Katherine Hardwick 