Katie is an experienced marketer, communicator, and equity advocate. Driven by social justice and equity she takes pride in working towards achieving the institute’s social justice mission. As the Director of Marketing and Communication, Katie leads the communications and marketing efforts for the Gardner Institute, she serves on the Excellence in Academic Advising Core team and co-leads the Socially Just Design Project team for the Gardner Institute.

Katie is a native of the Kansas City area, both states. Before joining the Gardner Institute in March of 2018, Katie worked as the Director of Business Development for a small business coaching firm. Ms. Locke’s previous experience also includes working at schools in Kansas City, MO, the Lewisham Borough of London, and in George Town, Grand Cayman. She also started a charter school in the Asheville area. She holds a BA in Communications from Missouri State University. In 2020, Katie earned an Equitable Leadership Certificate from the Lenoir Rhyne Equity and Diversity Institute. Katie lives with her 18-year-old daughter Annabel and resides in Asheville, NC.

To contact Katie, please email her at locke@jngi.org or call 828-210-2408