Meet Katie Hall: Listening, Leading and Getting Things Done

Some people walk into a room and immediately make you feel like you already know them. Katie Hall is one of those people.

With her warm smile, friendly energy and natural ability to connect, Katie has a way of making everyone feel welcome. She is also, importantly, the person who gets stuff done—which is good news for LSPAA, because this Class of 2026 graduate is joining the Board of Directors.

Katie is the founder and UX strategist at HallmarkUX, where she works on IT systems—but probably not in the way most people imagine.

“What I really do is help improve the design of processes that my clients use every day,” she explains. “Also, I LIKE working with my government clients.”

Yes, she likes working with government systems. We knew there was something special about her.

Finding Her Place on the Dance Floor

Like many LSP class members, Katie arrived at Opening Retreat excited but unsure where she would fit among a group of strangers suddenly thrown together for an unforgettable year.

It did not take long to find out.

On the first night, she kicked off the dancing with her classmate Dom—and immediately knew she had found her people.

That moment captures a lot of what makes the LSP experience so special. Sometimes leadership looks like listening, advocating and asking the right questions. Sometimes it looks like being the first person on the dance floor.

Katie can do both.

Through LSP, she gained a deeper understanding of the strengths she brings to leadership.

“I approach conversations with more confidence,” she says. “I know now my strengths as a leader are listening, interpreting and advocating, and I feel confident those traits allow me to lead in ways many people can’t.”

That confidence does not mean needing to be the loudest voice in the room. For Katie, leadership is about understanding what people are saying, recognizing what they need and helping turn that information into meaningful action.

Supporting People Where They Are

Katie is especially passionate about affordable housing, both personally and professionally. One of her bucket-list goals is to secure her first project working directly with the city or county.

“I sooooo want to directly work for the good of my city,” she says.

She is currently looking for ways to become more involved in addressing affordable housing and would love to connect with alumni who know of organizations, projects or opportunities where she could contribute her skills.

Katie also wants more people to understand the realities faced by people who use substances.

“There’s a huge misconception that they just need to ‘get clean’ and do better at life,” she says. “There are so many other ways to be successful, though—on your own time and in the way that meets you where you are.”

She encourages alumni to learn more about IDEA Pinellas on 16th Street South and the stories of hope coming from its harm-reduction work in the community.

Her perspective reflects the same qualities she brings to leadership: listening without judgment, understanding complicated systems and advocating for solutions that meet real people where they actually are.

Katie’s Guide to a Very Good Saturday

Katie’s perfect Saturday begins with a HIIT workout, because apparently some people enjoy voluntarily doing burpees on the weekend.

After that comes brunch, a long walk through a museum and an evening drinking wine and reading at Book + Bottle, surrounded by some of her favorite people.

For anyone visiting St. Pete, she also has one firm recommendation: head south to Mullet’s Fish Camp.

According to Katie, it is the place to go for some of the best fish and wings in the city, served in the kind of casual setting that makes you want to stay awhile.

When she is not improving systems, supporting community causes or finding the best food in town, Katie is probably reading a book whose title she will immediately forget—even when she loves it.

The recommendation she can remember is the podcast 5-4, which explores U.S. Supreme Court cases for fellow nerds who enjoy digging into the history and impact of the Court.

Ready for What Comes Next

Since graduating with the LSP Class of 2026, Katie has stayed connected through the social and educational events organized by her classmates. Now, she is ready to become even more involved as a member of the LSPAA Board and its new Secretary.

It is a role that fits her perfectly. She listens closely, makes people feel connected and can be trusted to move the work forward—all while bringing warmth, humor and a smile to the room.

We are thrilled to welcome Katie into this next chapter of leadership and service, and we cannot wait to see what she gets done next.

Follow Katie on Instagram at @thekckatie.

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