Greetings!

My name, as you’ve seen, is Mary Kate Johnson. Before I dive into what fuels my passion for media, collaboration, perspective, and technical nuance, I want to share a bit of background—specifically, the experiences that have shaped who I am today.

I was born on a quiet mountain in southeastern Tennessee called Lookout Mountain. It’s the kind of place where you can’t leave the house without being mentally prepared to run into your first-grade teacher or your dad’s childhood neighbor. At times, this tight-knit community offered deep comfort—but as you can imagine, it could also feel suffocating. The closeness came with expectations and a clear image of who I was supposed to become. For a while, I followed that script.

I attended an all-girls school—a structure I strongly believe in, but more on that later—where I served as Student Body President, Varsity Tennis Captain, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Roundtable Executive, and Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper. I don’t list these roles to boast, but rather to show how deeply I invested in being someone my community could be proud of.

After high school, I enrolled at Tulane University, an incredible institution nestled in the cultural heart of New Orleans. I chose Tulane because I was selected for the Altman Program in International Business and Liberal Arts. This unique program allows students to graduate with two degrees—one in Business, the other in Liberal Arts—with an intensive language component. It also includes a summer and a full year of study abroad.

My summer abroad took me to Mérida, Mexico, where I studied Finance and Cultural Competency. Highlights include living in a Mayan village, swimming in cenotes, and enjoying the best margaritas of my life. I then spent a year in France, primarily in Nice and Toulouse. While I loved my time in Mexico, living in France proved to be the most transformative experience of my life. It wasn’t my first time venturing into the unknown—but it was the first time I did it without anyone holding my hand.

In France, I grew in ways I never expected. I took risks, opened my heart, and became a more authentic, vulnerable version of myself. I met some of the most fascinating people I’ve ever known and, more importantly, I learned to love uncertainty. My time abroad challenged the narrow plans I once held for myself. I had intended to become a lawyer, but exposure to different cultures and ideas opened my eyes to broader possibilities. I realized I wanted to explore every opportunity available to someone willing, hopeful, and curious.

So, now that you know a bit about me—this is who I am today: a senior at Tulane University, preparing to complete my Bachelor of Science Management in Business Law and my Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. I’m standing at the edge of the adult world. While that once felt daunting, I now see the excitement in its unpredictability.

At this point in my life, I have the chance to choose a path that genuinely resonates with me—a path where differing perspectives can challenge and deepen my worldview. One that allows me to bring together the hard and soft skills I’ve developed into a meaningful, dynamic career. I’m no longer afraid of the unknown. Instead, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to discover it—and thrive within it.