Hey, I’m Katie!!

An ambitious creative with 10 years of experience in Product/Accessories Design and Development.

What started as a sponsored studio my senior year of college has led to a 10-year career designing and developing technical bags for the Outdoor Industry. Through this time, I have embraced the balance between my apparel-like approach to textiles, textures and finished with the performance ready function that is demanded from professional athletes. Currently I am the Lead Technical Developer at Nike for Bags and Accessories.

Through my apparel education background, I have always approached bags and accessories with a diligent eye on fit. Pursuing a more inclusive fit standards for packs and bags is one of my passions I bring to every role. Customization, extensive user insights and interviews, prototypes and fit session have propelled me to have a more inclusive approach to product design. Sustainability is also an important element within the design process and within my life.

Leadership and mentoring are core passions of mine.  As a member of the Cohort 2022 of the Futurist Project Leadership Academy, I participated in a six-month intensive leadership program focused entirely on the outdoor industry.  The importance of mentoring and giving back is also important to me.  That is why, I volunteered to be an industry professional for Kansas University Senior Studio: “wearable hydration”, where we met weekly and gave feedback to the students. Additionally, I mentor students in the Industrial Design Program at Kansas University through their Women in Design partnership, led by Betsy Barnhart.

The art of “Making” is my passion. I love to collaborate with friends to make a custom wedding wardrobe pieces. Thrift, tailor and customize vintage pieces to add to my personal style. I find my “flow” when sitting behind a sewing machine.