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<\/a><\/p>\nThis story is part of our July 2026 Young Professionals issue. To read the print version, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n
\n Katie Durham loves a group project. \u201cI\u2019ve always been part of \n While attending a marketing class at Chico State University, \n Durham recounts how moved she was by the film. \u201cIt\u2019s really \n She speaks fondly of her first \u201cbig girl\u201d job at communications \n After that, she led the resource and development department at \n Her current role as a communications specialist for the Greater \n Durham\u2019s volunteer work at Metro EDGE, Sacramento Metro Chamber \n As co-chair, Durham\u2019s focus is on growing the organization\u2019s \n \u201cThe thing I\u2019m most proud of is the people,\u201d Durham says. \n \u201cYou have to be informed and present in your community to make \n Durham has an openness and an eagerness to connect that make her \n Her advice is to seek good company and stay engaged: \u201cYou have to \n Beyond Metro EDGE, Durham serves on the board of United Cerebral \n In light of America\u2019s 250th, Durham says, \u201cOne of the most \n \u2013\n<\/p>\n \n View the\u00a0list of
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\n groups and organizations and teams,\u201d says the 32-year-old
\n Sacramento native. \u201cI was the kid that was taught if you join the
\n swim team, you have to finish the season.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Durham watched a documentary about a team of design engineers who
\n sought to perfect the vegetable peeler. They sallied out to their
\n local grocery store to engage the public in their research, and
\n through a series of trials in the produce aisle, they determined
\n that a bicycle handle provided the best comfort and grip.\n<\/p>\n
\n silly, but it\u2019s something that truly impacts your everyday. I
\n mean, if you\u2019re a cook, you have to peel your potatoes and
\n carrots,\u201d she says. \u201cThat\u2019s what started my love for being
\n involved with the public and getting public input to change
\n something.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n and public outreach firm AIM Consulting, where she was part of a
\n team that staged a lantern festival on Sacramento\u2019s I Street
\n Bridge for a study on how to convert its lanes to allow only foot
\n and bicycle traffic.\n<\/p>\n
\n Yolo County Children\u2019s Alliance and served as vice president of
\n member engagement at the California Manufacturers & Technology
\n Association.\n<\/p>\n
\n Sacramento division of Sutter Health affords less time out in the
\n field, but Durham still interfaces with the public. \u201cBeing at
\n Sutter, it\u2019s such a large organization that you have to make sure
\n you have the right people at the table and the right
\n information,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s still about making sure people have
\n the information they need.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Foundation\u2019s young professionals program, satisfies her need for
\n teamwork and community engagement. She joined the leadership
\n council in 2022, served as chair in 2025 and is co-chair for
\n 2026, alongside Nancy Eldred, vice president of public affairs at
\n NAMI California.\n<\/p>\n
\n membership and reputation in the age of remote work. A remote
\n worker herself, she thinks people today crave connection and are
\n in need of a midweek mixer, which Metro EDGE is known to
\n facilitate. These networking events are a beacon to Sac\u2019s
\n brightest young minds (and are also a good time).\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThey\u2019re incredibly ambitious, and they choose to spend their
\n time with us. \u2026 I would love for Metro EDGE to become one of
\n those organizations where employers say, \u2018If I want to find
\n future leaders, that\u2019s where I need to look.\u2019\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n it what you want.\u201d\n <\/p>\n
\n an approachable role model. She\u2019s candid about experiencing
\n imposter syndrome, especially in the silo of remote work. \u201cThose
\n little voices in your head start trying to break down your
\n confidence in who you are and what you\u2019re good at,\u201d she says.\n<\/p>\n
\n be informed and present in your community to make it what you
\n want.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Palsy of Northern California, among other volunteer work. Her
\n fiance, Ian Corcoran, a project manager at WeidnerCA, supports
\n her busy life, along with her formerly stray cat, Slink, who\u2019s
\n found a home with them in East Sacramento. In her free time,
\n Durham loves running, hiking, swimming, practicing Pilates and
\n walking around town.\n<\/p>\n
\n meaningful aspects of being American, in my experience, is the
\n ability to create change at the local level. Even in challenging
\n times, our communities hold real power. When we engage (voting
\n locally, participating in neighborhood associations, or attending
\n city and community meetings), we can influence decisions and see
\n the impact in tangible ways.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n honorees<\/a>\u00a0from 2015 through 2026.\n<\/p>\n