Kat Wawner
Founder and CEO
Wawner Strategies
After working in Washington D.C. and Sydney, Australia, Kat found her place in Charleston, where she started her own PR and creative agency.
Elon Graduation Year
2008
Live Oak Communications Involvement
Part of the inaugural team in 2008!
Kat's Company History
A Q&A with Kat Wawner
Tell us about yourself!​
​
I am the Founder and CEO
of Wawner Strategies, a
Charleston-based public
relations agency built on
the belief that authenticity and community are at the heart of every great story. My career has taken me from Washington, D.C. to Sydney, Australia, and now to the Lowcountry where I raise my daughters, Wallie (5) & Wynn (4).
Along the way, I have worked with brands that range from national household names to locally loved businesses, always with the same focus: building meaningful connections through thoughtful storytelling. Elon and Live Oak Communications were pivotal in shaping my path, giving me the foundation and confidence to launch my own firm.
How has the PR industry changed since you started, and what trends do you think are shaping its future?
When I started my career, PR was still heavily rooted in traditional media relations: pitching newspapers, magazines, and broadcast. Those skills are still foundational, but the industry has completely transformed. Today, PR is about building communities, creating meaningful content across digital platforms, and understanding how earned, owned, and paid media intersect.
The rise of AI, influencer marketing, and real-time analytics have added new layers of possibility. But at the core, it still comes down to authentic storytelling: finding ways to connect brands with their audiences in a way that feels human. At Wawner Strategies, we embrace technology and data but never lose sight of the fact that PR is about relationships and trust.
Can you share a particularly successful PR campaign or project you worked on? What made it successful?
One of the most exciting projects we have led was the southeast expansion of Spread Bagelry, a beloved bagel chain well known throughout the Northeast. They trusted Wawner Strategies with their first Southern location, right in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Our approach combined three key elements: strategic media placements, a strong influencer presence, and grassroots community galvanization. We wanted the launch to feel less like a corporate expansion and more like a Charleston story that the community could genuinely rally around.
The results exceeded expectations. The Mount Pleasant location quickly became the most successful opening in company history, outperforming all of their stores across the country. Even more rewarding was the fact that locals assumed Spread Bagelry was a homegrown business. That campaign reminded me why I love this work: when PR is done thoughtfully, it not only drives measurable results but also creates real connections between brands and the communities they serve.
You held three jobs in Sydney, Australia. How did you land those jobs abroad and what were your biggest learning experiences while working abroad?
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Sydney was one of the most formative chapters of my career. I went there with curiosity and a willingness to start fresh, and I landed my first job by reaching out directly to agencies and networking as much as possible. Once I got my foot in the door, word of mouth and strong relationships led to my next roles.
Working abroad taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of cultural perspective. The Australian PR market emphasized creativity and big ideas, but also work-life balance in a way that felt different from the United States. I carried those lessons with me: the ability to jump into new environments and the importance of building relationships across cultures still shape how I run Wawner Strategies today.
Now, you are the Founder and CEO of Wawner Strategies. Can you walk through the process of starting your own business?
I started Wawner Strategies because I saw an opportunity to bring a more authentic, community-driven approach to PR. After years in agencies and in-house roles, I wanted to create a firm that not only produced results but also reflected my values. Launching a business meant wearing every hat at once: strategist, business developer, mentor, even IT support. But it also gave me the freedom to be selective about the work we take on and the clients we align with. From day one, I focused on building trust and delivering results that spoke for themselves. Today, we are proud to partner with brands that are not only successful but also deeply connected to their communities.
Your Substack: Roots and Reach has multiple entries over the course of 2025. How important is writing to you and in the industry?
Writing has always been at the heart of my work. PR is, at its core, storytelling, and writing is how we refine, sharpen, and share those stories. My Substack, Roots and Reach, gives me space to step back from client work and reflect on the bigger picture, whether it is lessons from running a business, observations about the industry, or ideas sparked by life in Charleston.
For the industry, strong writing is non-negotiable. Trends, platforms, and technologies will continue to evolve, but the ability to articulate a clear, compelling message will always be the skill that sets PR professionals apart.
Can you describe a typical day as the Founder and CEO of Wawner Strategies?
The beauty of this role is that no two days are exactly alike. Some mornings start with strategy sessions for national brands, while afternoons may be spent on local community partnerships. I split my time between client-facing work such as pitching media, developing campaigns, and collaborating with partners, and internal leadership such as mentoring my team or refining agency processes. I am intentional about carving out space for creativity, whether it is brainstorming fresh ideas or writing. And because PR never really stops, I keep an eye on the news cycle throughout the day. While the pace can be demanding, it is rewarding to see the impact we are making both for our clients and in the Charleston community.
You have worked in multiple locations from D.C. to Sydney and now Charleston. Which location has been your favorite place to work and why?
Charleston is, without a doubt, my favorite. The city has an incredible blend of history, creativity, and entrepreneurial energy. It is a place where relationships matter, and that aligns perfectly with how I approach PR. Being based in Charleston allows Wawner Strategies to work with a mix of local businesses and national brands, giving us a unique perspective. It is also a city that inspires creativity daily, from its food and culture to its people. After working in larger markets, I have found Charleston to be the perfect place to build an agency rooted in authenticity and community.
Inaugural Photo of Live Oak Communications