Catherine Card has been connected to the Emerald Coast for most of her life, first visiting Destin as a child before eventually calling the area home.

• Today, she serves as the Public Information Officer for Okaloosa County School District, where she helps tell the stories of students, teachers, and programs across the district.

Her role blends media relations, writing, strategic communication, and community engagement — often working behind the scenes to make sure important information reaches families, staff, and the public. No two days are the same, but the mission remains the same: communicate clearly, support the district, and highlight the successes happening in Okaloosa County schools.

Are you a life-long local, if not, where are you from originally and how did you end up in the area?

I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Birmingham, Alabama, when I was 10. Even before that move, this area has always been part of my life because my aunt and uncle had a second home in Destin, and my family began visiting when I was just one year old. The Emerald Coast quickly became a place where we spent a lot of time together growing up.

My father always said that one day he would retire to Destin, and that dream became a reality in 1997 when my parents purchased their home. That also gave me the opportunity to frequent the area even more, especially during my college years. Needless to say, it wasn’t a bad place to call home as a college student.

What’s your current job title and where do you work?

Public Information Officer / Okaloosa County School District

What’s your morning routine?

Ha! This is a funny question because I am definitely not a morning person; I’m much more of a night owl. But despite that, my alarm goes off around 5:30 a.m. to make sure my teenage daughters are actually awake, because they have a remarkable ability to sleep right through their alarms…most of the time. If I don’t have an early meeting, I might squeeze in 15–20 minutes of snooze time before officially starting the day.

Once I’m up, I get ready, check personal emails, review my schedule, and scan work emails for the day ahead. My husband is retired, so I try to be quiet, though not always successfully. Before leaving, I give him a kiss goodbye and grab my coffee for the drive.

Describe what a typical workday looks like for you.

I love my job, and no two days are the same. I write press releases, handle media inquiries, and support Superintendent Marcus Chambers with strategic communications. I work closely with colleagues and strategic partners to highlight the successes of 38 Okaloosa County schools, lead community initiatives like the Thanksgiving Meal Initiative, and partner with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office to support students and families at Christmas.

Every day blends storytelling, public engagement, and collaboration to showcase one of Florida’s top-performing school districts.

What’s the first thing you do when you get to work (or start your workday)?

I start my day by reviewing my to-do list, emails, and prioritizing tasks, then jump right into tackling them.

What tools, apps, or gadgets can’t you live without?

Sadly, my cell phone. However, I make a concerted effort to balance how much time I spend on it when I am with family and friends, and to simply be in the moment.

Apple or Android?

Apple all the way! I am an iPhone, iWatch, iPad, Mac synced maniac.

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order?

White Chocolate Mocha

What’s your go-to lunch spot or work snack?

Unless I have a scheduled lunch, I usually skip it. If I’m lucky, my husband packs me leftovers, and anyone who follows him on social media knows he’s an amazing cook, so I feel pretty spoiled! On days I don’t get that, I stick to Chomps beef sticks, fruit, and coconut water.

What’s one local business you love supporting?

Basil and Baxter’s!

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

Trust your instincts.

If you could give your 20-year-old self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t let other people’s opinions define you, and don’t take things too personally.

How do you unwind after a long day?

Spending time with family and watching a good movie.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

While living in Honduras, I served as a Foreign Service Officer for the State Department. During that time, a domestic coup occurred, giving me firsthand experience in diplomacy, resilience, and crisis communications.

What’s your favorite local event or tradition?

Friday night lights at Eagle Stadium!

What’s inspiring you right now (book, podcast, person, hobby)?

For Such A Time As This – My Faith Journey Through the White House and Beyond by Kayleigh McEnany

Early bird or night owl?

Night owl

Most used emoji?

The heart and crying/laughter emoji are tied for first place, LOL

Music while working — yes or no? (and if yes, what’s on your playlist?)

Sometimes. My playlist is pretty eclectic, but if I’m really fired up, the first song I usually play is ‘Zombie’ by The Cranberries.

Favorite motivational quote?

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts,” Winston Churchill

Standing desk or sitting? Mix?

Sitting, mostly because I keep forgetting that my desk actually moves. I’m working on being better about mixing it up!

If you could give any advice for someone getting into the same field as you, what advice would you give?

To succeed in this field, you have to be a strong communicator, a great multitasker, and flexible when plans inevitably change. If you’re the voice of an organization, you must truly understand its mission and work to ensure communication is clear, consistent, and unified. There will be challenging days when you have to pivot quickly, but it’s also one of the most rewarding careers you can have. And through it all, remember to breathe.

Are you a member of the FWB Chamber of Commerce?

Yes. I’m honored to be a member of the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and serve on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. The Chamber champions initiatives that strengthen not only our business community but our entire county, and I’m proud to serve alongside so many civic-minded leaders working to make our home even better. And of course, First Friday Coffee is always a favorite; it’s truly the largest adult pep rally on the Emerald Coast!