KATE LILJA LOHNES
President
Kate Lilja Lohnes is a seasoned communicator with a passion for sharing stories of impact, especially those that inspire change. On Jan. 1, 2020, Kate became president of Lilja Communications, taking the helm from her mother, Mary Lilja, as the second-generation leader of the firm.
Kate returned to Lilja Communications in 2016 as senior PR consultant after originally working with the agency in 2006. In the intervening years, Kate worked in Utah for the Salt Lake County Health Department, where she helped the organization navigate the 2009 H1N1 public health emergency, and Salt Lake City’s Division of Sustainability, where she managed communications for Salt Lake City Green and the Clear the Air Challenge.
In 2014 Kate presented at the UN-Habitat World Urban Forum in Medellín, Colombia, in a panel presentation focused on sustainable solutions to common challenges urban environments face around the world. She has also presented at several national conferences hosted by the U.S. EPA's State and Local Climate and Energy Program.
Kate previously served as vice chair on the Conservation Commission for the City of Eden Prairie. When she has a free moment, she enjoys adventuring outdoors with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Teddy and Freya.
To learn more about the business transition from first to second generation at Lilja, read this Star Tribune story.
Favorite book: “Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown
Reading & recommending now: “Discover Your True North: Emerging Leader Edition" by Bill George
Favorite movie: “All About Eve"
Binge-watching now: “The Morning Show"
Six-word memoir: Creating a path true to myself.
