Katie is originally from Minnesota, where growing up meant long days outside hiking, biking, camping, and spending plenty of time at the lake, perfecting cannonballs and swimming until sunset. She earned a B.S. in Communications and lived in Fargo, North Dakota before heading west.
Colorado became home for 12 years, where Katie built a career in craft beer and marketing while spending her free time hiking high-country trails, camping, and chasing time outside whenever possible.
Now based in Southern Oregon, Katie and her fiancé (soon to be husband!) are building a small hobby farm, staying closely connected to the land and the outdoors. Behind the scenes, she manages all tour operations for Zephyr Adventures: handling logistics, preparation, and the details that keep trips running smoothly. When she’s lucky, that behind-the-scenes work turns into time in the field, guiding select trips each year.
Katie is passionate about animals, wild places, and adventure that inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and gets people outside their comfort zones. She loves helping others experience the world in a hands-on, meaningful way. Chances are, if she’s not working on trip details or tending to the farm, she’s out on a trail with her Catahoula dogs, Ben and Lucy.