Keirstin Pratt

I would attribute my success to all of those who believed in me. That's my parents, my professors, art teachers, you know, even the whole way back in third grade. Those who always told me, you can do it, and have watched me go through really, really hard times and still said that you can do it. I know I still have room to grow, and I still have a lot of things to accomplish, but I 100% attribute my success to all those who believed in me, still believe in me, and still give me opportunities. I owe them the world. I think they know it, too. I couldn't do it without them.

The best career advice I've received is probably from my dad, who is an entrepreneur. I've watched him face all the ups and downs of going that route, and he's always told me, do what makes you happy. He says, if you don't do what makes you happy, you're gonna be miserable. But doing what makes you happy might not always be the most lucrative, so you have to make peace with navigating financials and that journey. I'm so glad I listened to that, because I do what makes me happy. I'm not rich, but to be able to wake up and be at peace, be happy, and knowing that, yeah, I have 5 jobs, but guess what? You enjoy them. That's more than I could ask for. So, I think the best advice is to do what makes you happy and stay the course.

My advice to young women entering this industry is to know your worth and protect it. Stay kind, approachable, and professional, but never let anyone take advantage of you. In small teams, maintaining a positive attitude and setting clear boundaries is essential—hostility only harms you and those around you. I focus on remaining composed and cordial, even when faced with difficult or dismissive behavior, because allowing negativity to affect you gives others power over your mindset—and I refuse to give them that.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the proposed construction of a border wall through Big Bend National Park and the surrounding region. This project threatens to devastate the landscape, wildlife migration, tourism, and the local economy. I’ve been actively using my skills in graphic design and marketing to work with a coalition of local and national partners to oppose it. It’s both a grassroots and federal effort, because if this can happen at Big Bend, it sets a precedent for other national parks. The outcome could significantly impact the future of the region, including how we attract visitors and sustain the local economy, so protecting this land has become a central focus of my work.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are community and hope. I believe in supporting and collaborating with the communities I’m part of—whether through my job or within the towns I work in—because we all face challenges and need to lean on one another. Equally, I value hope: staying optimistic, keeping our heads up, and working together to create positive change even when circumstances feel overwhelming.