Bringing people together through the arts is Katie’s passion, and that is just what she tries to do as the Executive Director of the Asheville Area Arts Council. Along with AAAC’s dedicated Board of Directors, she works to amplify what is happening in Buncombe County’s vibrant arts communities and ensure the continued sustainability and growth of the area's richly diverse cultural sector. Katie has more than 19 years of experience working in the Asheville arts sector and holds a Master’s degree in Arts Leadership & Cultural Management from Colorado State University and a BA in Drama from UNC Asheville. She is the President of the Western Arts Agencies of North Carolina, and the Chair of both the City of Asheville’s Public Art & Cultural Commission and the ArtSpace Charter School Board. Katie also serves on the Buncombe County School Arts Advisory Council, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Business Association Committee, and the BCTDA’s Tourism Partner Organization Committee .