Katie Brown Frederick '16

When alumna Katie Brown Frederick ’16 reflects on her journey from GPS’s Camp Kaleidoscope to her current role as Social Media Content Coordinator at Lodge Cast Iron, one thing becomes clear: her experiences at GPS laid the foundation for a career fueled by creativity, community, and adaptability.

Growing up, Katie was immersed in the GPS culture through summer camps, where she both participated and later volunteered. “I worked Camp Kaleidoscope almost every year when I became a GPS student,” she recalls. “It was always so rewarding.”

Her official GPS journey began in sixth grade with a strong support network and an environment that encouraged her to explore her interests. The hands-on learning experiences at GPS, particularly in art classes with standout teachers like Ms. McCall and Mrs. Brock, inspired her to think creatively. “Ms. McCall told my mother-in-law recently that I could sculpt anything,” she says with a laugh. “That was very generous, but it shows how supportive GPS teachers are.”

After GPS, Katie attended the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Business. Her time at UT wasn’t without challenges, including a major change that extended her studies and a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during her senior year. Despite the obstacles, she persevered. “I finished my degree after treatment and walked at graduation,” she says. “It was a weird COVID graduation, but I did it!” She notes her GPS classmates were a big support system online throughout that period, when gathering in person wasn’t feasible.

During college, she joined a sorority, lived in the house for two years, and navigated the intricacies of social life. “I was surrounded by women all the time,” she says. “Thanks to GPS, I was ready for it. My friends couldn’t believe how comfortable I was in that environment.” She even put her AP Art skills to use as the resident banner painter and homecoming chair and float designer!

Her senior year, she interned with the Athletic Department's design team. "I saw an Instagram story from UT Athletics and applied on a whim. “I interned with student-athletes and art students and learned a lot of design stuff on the fly. My art was even used for the 2020 football season ticket holder books!” 

Post-graduation, Katie returned to Chattanooga. Her internship with the UT Athletic Department helped her realize her potential with the digital design side of social media, which led her to apply for Tim Kelly’s mayoral campaign while searching for a full-time role. “I worked the tail end of his campaign, assisting his graphic designer and building social content,” she says.

Following the election, she earned her first full-time role as a marketing coordinator at PlayCore. While she gained valuable experience, she yearned for a more creatively fulfilling position. That desire led her to apply for a role at Lodge Cast Iron—a position she initially didn’t get. However, the story didn’t end there. “Even though I didn’t get the job, Jodi, who interviewed me, sent me a cast iron loaf pan as a thank you,” she recalls. “I was mad at first, but it ended up being a sign of things to come.”

A second opportunity arose at Lodge, and this time, she secured the role of Social Media Content Coordinator. Now, she manages the brand’s social media presence, creating engaging content that resonates with a diverse audience.

Her role involves everything from styling food shoots to crafting viral social media campaigns. “We don’t hire external video teams; we make the content ourselves,” she explains. “That hands-on element is something I learned at GPS, especially in art class.”

One memorable project was a recent collaboration with Dolly Parton. “Dolly’s team called in December, and by March, we launched the product,” she says. “It was such a cool project, and we learned a lot about working with different team timelines.”

Throughout her career, Katie has found that her GPS education continues to influence her professional life. “GPS taught me to be adaptable, to think creatively, and to be confident in my abilities,” she says. “The all-girls environment prepared me to navigate as a younger woman in the workplace. I am very fortunate to work on a team full of talented women today who never shy away from speaking their minds in larger male-dominated settings.”

As a social media professional, she spends time researching trends and engaging with creators. She names Justine Doiron and Meredith Hayden from Wishbone Kitchen as two of her favorite content creators. “It’s inspiring to see people turn their passion into a career,” she says.

For current GPS students interested in social media careers, Katie emphasizes the importance of internships and hands-on experience. “My first internship wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me valuable lessons,” she says. “Reach out to local organizations—you never know where it might lead.”

She also encourages students interested in pursuing social media as a career to consider broader majors like communications and marketing rather than social media-specific programs when possible. “Social media changes so quickly, and a lot of that learning happens on the job. If you can really hone your core competencies, you will set yourself up for success,” she says.

Looking back, she acknowledges that her journey wasn’t linear. “I thought I’d never return to Chattanooga, but here I am, working at a company with a global reach from a small town,” she says. “GPS prepared me for that flexibility and resilience.”

From the hallways of GPS to the creative kitchens of Lodge Cast Iron, Katie embodies the spirit of a GPS alumna—bold, adaptable, and always ready to make an impact.