Staff Spotlight: Katie Roberts, Marketing & Communications Specialist

Sharing Stories, Successes and Sparks for Camp Fire!

Meet Katie Roberts (she/her), a storytelling powerhouse with a deep love for community, connection, and the great outdoors. With a background in journalism, youth development, and communications, Katie brings decades of experience—and heart—to her role at Camp Fire Central Oregon. From her early days as a youth program leader to her current work amplifying youth voices and championing our mission, Katie’s journey is full of purpose and passion.

Katie Roberts, Camp Fire's marketing & communications specialist, started her career in television journalism in the late 1990s.

Q: Tell us about your background and what drew you to join Camp Fire Central Oregon.
A: My professional experience in writing, storytelling, and communications dates back to 1999, when, after earning my master’s degree in journalism and mass communications at the University of Colorado, I worked first as an ABC television reporter in Washington, then as the managing editor for a business publication in Colorado. However, after marrying and starting a family, I switched to freelance writing to support a more flexible work/life balance. I also became involved in starting and leading a nonprofit local business alliance, advocating for independent businesses in my county while providing alliance members with business education and marketing campaigns that strengthened their bottom lines. 

My husband and I saw ourselves living forever in Colorado until a great job opportunity arose for him in Oregon. In 2011, our family relocated to the Columbia Gorge region, where I continued freelancing and building my business. Some highlights included ghostwriting a best-selling book for a business leadership client and serving as a contract marketing director for a large nonprofit health care center committed to serving vulnerable populations.

Katie Roberts, shortly after moving to Central Oregon, with her family at Mt. Bachelor.

We lived and played in the Hood River Valley for eight incredible years, but then life presented another unexpected adventure when my husband accepted a career opportunity in Central Oregon. We traded our "gorge-ous" riverfront lifestyle for new high-desert experiences, thrilled to have the opportunity, come winter, to regularly ski Mt. Bachelor and, come summer, float the beautiful Deschutes and explore the eastern Cascades.

Then the pandemic hit. And with a number of my clients pivoting in new directions, I realized it was wise for me to shift, too. With that revelation, along with a wish to build stronger Central Oregon connections, I explored marketing positions with mission-oriented organizations. 

Turned out, Camp Fire was hiring! Having long ago served in various youth counselor roles and as a co-youth director for a summer program at a 100-year-old Chautauqua in my teen and early adult years, I found the longevity of Camp Fire Central Oregon impressive and its connection-centered youth development mission vital, "happy" work. A board member encouraged me to apply, and I accepted the one-person marketing & outreach role, which then evolved into a position that, through the support of a now robust marketing team, has become more aligned with my storytelling strengths, yet presented opportunities to discover new interests, build fresh skills, and evolve my sense of self, learning from my professional peers and the kids and families we serve.

Katie Roberts gathers photos and stories at SummerKids 2025.

Q: Describe your role as Marketing & Communications Specialist and other roles you may be supporting now:
A: My number-one job is to communicate the vast value Camp Fire offers the youth, staff, and broader community it serves. I do this by sourcing and providing stories of truth and inspiration, which testify to Camp Fire’s  integrity and impact. Churning out newsletters, stories, media releases, select marketing materials, and website edits, along with serving as a marketing outreach team member, keeps me busy! I also serve on Culture Club, an internal committee dedicated to strengthening Camp Fire’s welcoming culture and celebrating its staff.

Q: What are your sparks?
A: I love success stories. These may be stories about the youth or staff we serve and support at Camp Fire, or my friends and family outside of work, especially my own kiddos who are incredible human beings! Also, spending free time on any body of water (or ski slope), connecting with people I love, feeds my soul. In addition, I’ve found a spark in adult ballet at Sisters Dance Academy and all the amazing fellow dancers in that class. Lastly, I’m working on a historical fiction book—a newish spark of sorts!

Q: What are your future goals—professional and personal? 
A: I’d like to finish my book, have it published by a reputable publisher, and see it bring value to others in the world. That is both a personal and professional goal. I also want to travel abroad more with my fabulous kids and adventuresome husband. And I'd like to ensure my teenagers launch safely and purposefully into the world as they become adults.

In addition to generating written content, communications and PR for Camp Fire audiences, Katie Roberts also produces videos for Camp Fire, featured on its YouTube channel: @campfirecentraloregonkids.

Q: What's your favorite part of working with youth?
A: I pop in and out of programs, pulling aside kids to ask them questions, hear their stories, and take pictures. Over the past few years, some have started to recognize, high-five or even hug me when they see me. Those little moments of connection bring me joy. But more importantly, I LOVE hearing what they have to say about how they’re succeeding. So perhaps they were struggling, then worked through something tough with the help of Camp Fire staff, friends, and the journey. Their learning they have the power, confidence, and right to become their authentic selves—it's so fulfilling to learn and share!

Q: Why does your job—and Camp Fire—matter?
A: Sometimes when Camp Fire youth share their hearts and experiences with me, I cannot help but tear up because they are so brave, so insightful, so kind, and so appreciative of our programs, fellow youth, and staff. These kids are connecting the dots, learning, thriving, and often giving back in  unique ways, maybe by simply being good humans. My job heavily entails communicating their successes, and it matters because it not only reinforces the proven value of Camp Fire and supports our sustainability as an organization, but enables these youth to voice and manifest hope. In a world that can sometimes feel hopeless, we can listen to these kids’ words, witness their good hearts, and feel less fearful of what the future may bring, knowing these youth will be change-makers (if not already so) over the decades to come!