Kate traces her life’s path back to an eye-opening moment at the age of six. It was then that she discovered her way with visual elements as she began drawing horses “…because the illustrations in my Pony Club manuals weren’t accurate.” By high school she had a full load of art classes, and in 2002, she graduated from the International Academy of Design and Technology.
Kate started her career in advertising as a Junior Art Director at United Landmark Associates, an advertising agency in downtown Tampa. Upon leaving that position, she took on the challenge of starting the creative department for an international real estate developer, and thereafter started her own freelance graphic design company. Today, Kate is the Art Director at PeakBiety branding + advertising. She has art directed numerous projects for local and national clients, earning her Gold and Silver ADDY awards from the Tampa Bay Ad Federation and the American Advertising Federation – 4th District.
Kate is also a vital member of the fine art community in Tampa Bay. She is a commissioned painter, and has curated several art shows, including “Clair de Lune,” an event fully managed by Whatley and
boasting over 1000 attendees.
Most recently Kate Whatley was elected President and CEO of local American Advertising Federation chapter Ad 2 Tampa Bay (www.ad2tampabay.org), the unified voice of Tampa Bay’s emerging advertising professionals. In June 2008, Ad 2 Tampa Bay was awarded the prestigious title “Club of the Year” by the American Advertising Federation at their national conference in Atlanta, GA. The chapter was also honored with the Excellence in Advertising Education award, presented by Saatchi & Saatchi, for their education initiatives this past year during Kate’s term as Education Director.
Largely due to those same education initiatives, Kate was asked to give the commencement address to her college alma mater’s graduating class of 2008. She was honored with their “Community Partner of the Year” award during the ceremony.
Looking forward, Kate plans on having a career full of constant progress and ever-greater collaborations with the best minds in advertising. She fully welcomes conversations with big thinkers of all ages and professions, inviting them to visit her online at www.katewhatley.com.
