Katherine Andrews
Director, Office of Outdoor Recreation, Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism
About Me: I was born and raised in Little Rock and earned my degree in finance from the University of Arkansas. My career began in commercial real estate before I started working in state government. I worked at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission in business development, then went on to lead the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Division before moving into my current role. As the first director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, I feel proud to lead the state’s efforts to grow the outdoor recreation economy and to follow my passion. I’m a graduate of Leadership Arkansas, Leadership Greater Little Rock and the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and in 2023, I was appointed by the governor to the Natural State Initiative Council.
Lives/Works in: Little Rock
Best Career Advice: You are in the room for a reason, so own it. Imposter syndrome can be common for women in the workforce, and it has plagued me many times.
Lesson Learned the Hard Way: Life is short. Tell your loved ones how much they mean to you, travel to that far-away city, buy that dress you’ve been thinking about, eat that piece of cake. There will come a day you can’t do those things and will wish you had.
Call to Action: Investment in conservation of remaining natural spaces is critical if we want our kids and grandkids to experience the magic of the great outdoors. Not only does outdoor recreation benefit our health, but it contributes to economic growth through workforce retention, business attraction, quality of life and investment in communities.
What Keeps Me Motivated: Projects I work on in my current role have a direct impact on what I do outside of work. Outdoor recreation is my passion, so advancing the industry and championing conservation will ensure future generations can enjoy The Natural State as much as I do.
TOP 100 WOMEN OF IMPACT IN ARKANSAS 2023
A Women’s Foundation of Arkansas Initiative