Katherine Hardwick

Katherine (Kat) Hardwick is Vice President of Marketing & Communications at The Florida Aquarium, where she leads the organization’s brand, marketing, and communications initiatives. Her work focuses on expanding the Aquarium’s reach and impact by inspiring residents and visitors to engage with its shared purpose of saving marine wildlife.

Kat brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, research, and brand strategy, with a career focused on destination marketing, placemaking, and mission-driven storytelling. Prior to joining the Aquarium, she served as Vice President of Marketing & Research at Downtown Vision, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida.

She currently serves on the Channel District Community Advisory Committee for the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency and has held board roles with the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Florida Theatre, and the Murray Hill Preservation Association. Kat was recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as a Women of Influence (2022) and a 40 Under 40 honoree (2019).

Kat holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of North Florida and is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville, the Urban Land Institute North Florida Center for Leadership, and the International Downtown Association Emerging Leaders Fellowship. An avid traveler, she is a member of the All 50 States Club and enjoys living in Downtown Tampa with her partner and their pittie, Gene Kelly.