Katie Fitch | Dunlap, IL
Executive Director | Picket Fence Foundation
Passionate about work that fosters belonging, Katie Fitch is the Executive Director of Picket Fence Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides inclusive employment and community programming through a greenhouse, floral studio and retail gift shop. Katie works to create environments where individuals with disabilities are trusted, supported and able to grow through real experience.
That same philosophy carries over into Katie’s work with the Penguin Project, which showcases the talents of people with disabilities in theatre. Utilizing her music and community theater background, she directs programming and contributes to training and curriculum development.
Laura Sniff calls Katie “a champion for people with disabilities in our community. She is a tireless advocate and is always working to improve the lives of the people that Picket Fence Foundation serves. She is constantly looking for new opportunities for people with disabilities not only at Picket Fence Foundation but throughout the greater Peoria area.”
Katie completed a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Leadership at Bradley University and now serves as an adjunct professor in the program, teaching program strategy and evaluation.
As a teenager, Katie was introduced to the profession of music therapy and “it was love at first sight.” She pursued a bachelor’s and master’s in music therapy and established her clinical practice, River City Music Therapy. Eight years later, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the quarantine upended her entire approach. Katie’s identity was in jeopardy. She made the difficult decision to close her practice then pieced together new experiences in instructional design, alternative education, program development and consultation, eventually leading to her current role with Picket Fence. “I'm sitting on the victorious side of a huge change and I'm really proud of that.”
While surrounded by many people she deeply admires, Katie points to Frank Abdnour as a major influence. “My introduction to the world of work was as one of Frank’s first employees at The Spotted Cow’s Glen Avenue location. I could not have asked for a better early example of leadership, hard work and commitment to community. It's safe to make mistakes under his grounded guidance. Those lessons have stayed with me, shaping not only my leadership style, but how I show up for the communities I serve.”
“It’s critically important that as time marches on, our village is removing barriers and creating new norms. Let’s maintain a healthy disregard for the status quo.”
Proudly rooted in Peoria, Katie is grateful that her family remains close. She can often be found at coffee shops across Greater Peoria and loves to sit and enjoy any spot with a good view of the river. “My children, Hudson and Lily, who I am raising with their father, Nick Wronkiewicz, are amazing little humans who fill me with pride.”