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JUST GETTING STARTED

ALWAYS KEEP MOVING

Katrina Garnes is an accomplished marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and media maven. For over a decade, she has worked in corporate and nonprofit spaces, creating strategic change and making a significant impact locally and globally.

Katrina is a 2013 graduate of Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, majoring in Mass Communications. Starting her career at a young age in 2011 while enrolled in undergrad, Garnes launched her local web show, What's Going On.

In its early years, the show interviewed leaders of the Florence community, entrepreneurs, and local artists such as Mayor Stephen J. Wukela and Dr. John Keith.

"What's Going On" would soon evolve to become a regular contributing column for ImagineI Magazine, interviewing nationally recognized guests such as Vivica Fox, Laz Alonzo Shae Wilbur, Tami Reed, Ment Nelson and international influencer and serial entrepreneur Allegro Dinkwayne (South Africa). With a relocation to Atlanta, Garnes would later take her talents and the show to the red carpet, blazing several events and interviewing notable public figures.

Advancing In Her Career

A WOMAN WITH VISION

While "What's Going On" took off, Garnes independently performed video editing services for various small businesses in the Florence area. As her client list and demand grew over time, she saw an opportunity to establish herself as a young entrepreneur. This became the birth of the digital marketing powerhouse Cold Storm Media Productions LLC. In addition to video editing, she would add several new marketing and branding services over the years, including visual branding, website development, marketing strategies, and brand photography.

With her marketing brilliance and passion for bettering the lives of others, Garnes has left a significant stamp on the Florence, SC, community. She co-founded the group MINGLE of the Pee Dee (Minorities Involved In Networking Growth Leadership and Empowerment. to help minority business owners in the city grow and network. The group held several social events within established minority businesses to help like-minded individuals get acquainted. The first event garnered over 100 attendees , setting the tone for what would become one of the most prominent organizations in the state. Garnes has also served on the Board of Family Promise of Florence, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income and homeless families gain stability.

Using her media savvy, Garnes has created, co-hosted, and participated in several events, including the Digital Empowerment Mastermind event. As well as the Soul Art Festival (Pop-Up Festival) in collaboration with jazz legend Ezra Brown, and Lunch With Us - An Intimate Conversation With Millennial Professionals and many more.

She's also shared her digital marketing mastery with others by partnering with the City of Florence to create a "Media Summer Camp." With consistent hard work and dedication, Garnes was named She Magazine's Young Entrepreneur of the Year for her dedicated work acumen and work in her community.

In conjunction with her creativity, Garnes' marketing knowledge has been displayed across multiple organizations. As Director of Marketing & Communications at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Garnes was a significant contributor to the success of multimillion-dollar fundraising efforts, as well as global campaigns that helped raise the college's profile. She also set the tone for the marketing voice of the organization by crafting the school's first strategic marketing plan. One of her more recent projects included the organization's first webinar series, Becoming a Prophetic Artist In The Age of The Coronavirus. This Webinar reintroduced ITC's Master of Arts in Liturgical Arts and Culture degree program to a new audience. It featured several notable figures, including the late great actor Michael K. Williams and renowned Atlanta Pastor Jamal Bryant.

Up Next With Katrina

MOVING FORWARD WITH PURPOSE

As the Director of Marketing and Communications and senior leadership team member at an independent school based in Atlanta, Metro Area, Garnes has spearheaded several projects that has contributed to the institution's growth and the betterment of the Atlanta community.

In 2022 Katrina was selected for the Cobb County Next Generation Mentorship Program through the Cobb County Chambers. She serves on the Board of Directors for Sheltering Grace Ministry (Marietta, Georgia), where she chairs Donor Development and Communications initiatives. She is also a member of the Kennesaw Business Association's Young Professionals (Kennesaw, Georgia) where she leads Community Service and Charity efforts.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Katrina Garnes is a motivator to thousands of women who dream of becoming impactful societal leaders. In 2023 Katrina looks to inspire, influence, and educate women of color to reach for the stars! She believes that anything is possible with the right mindset and ambition.

Today, Garnes continues to be a role model and inspiration to those who desire greatness.