Staff Spotlight: Katie Campbell - Creating Opportunities for Kids to Discover, Grow and Thrive

For most of her life, Katie Campbell has been drawn to work that helps kids learn, grow and discover what they’re capable of accomplishing. Now, as the new Club Director of the Jeff Wyler Club, Katie is bringing that passion to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. And her personal connection to the Club makes the role even more meaningful.

Finding Her Calling

Originally from West Virginia, Katie came to Cincinnati to attend Xavier University. She initially planned to pursue a career in law, but a summer job teaching at the Cincinnati Zoo changed the direction of her life. She fell in love with creating “wow” moments for kids. That experience led her to earn her master’s degree in elementary education and begin a career centered around education and youth development.

Katie spent several years working part-time at the Cincinnati Zoo before joining the organization full time in 2014 as part of the Zoo on the Move outreach team. She eventually became the program’s manager, overseeing a 40-year-old outreach program that brought educational experiences to children throughout the region. Later on at the Wave Foundation at Newport Aquarium, Katie served as Education Director and Deputy Director, helping provide programming to approximately 30,000 children each year. But she still couldn’t get enough of the energy and excitement that comes with working directly with kids.

Finding a Home at the Jeff Wyler Club

Katie’s connection to the Jeff Wyler Club began before she joined the staff. Her daughter became a Club member last year, and the experience quickly showed Katie what makes BGCGC special. When her daughter first started at the Club, she was shy and hesitant to try new things. She had only one close friend. But today, Katie sees a very different child.

“She has a group of friends now,” Katie said. “She loves the Club staff, and I can see how much they love her. She’s excited to tell me about field trips and the different activity clubs. The team is just so passionate about giving kids opportunities for growth and a safe place to be.”

That experience helped Katie see firsthand the impact a Club can have, not just on children, but on families.

More Than an After-School Program

As Club Director, Katie wants the Jeff Wyler Club to become an essential part of the community.

“I want this to be the community’s Club,” she said. “We want to be an educational partner for kids, not just a daycare.”

That means creating a structured environment where members can succeed in school while also giving them opportunities to discover new interests, hobbies and career paths. For younger members, she wants the Club to be a place where learning feels exciting and natural. Katie is also excited about opportunities for older members to explore the workforce and learn about different careers through BGCGC’s workforce development programming.

“Kids should be excited to come here,” she said. “They should be able to learn something new, discover something they love and just have fun.”

Building a Club the Community Can Count On

Katie’s commitment to the community extends beyond her work at BGCGC. Her husband grew up in Union Township, and Katie serves on the Union Township Parks and Recreation Committee.

Growing up, Katie experienced the opportunities that come from having a supportive community, summer camps and adults who open doors for young people. Now, she wants to create those same opportunities for the next generation. That means making sure every child who walks through the Jeff Wyler Club’s doors feels welcomed, supported and encouraged to discover what they can become.

“I can see what amazing doors we can open for kids,” she said. “I want to make that happen. I feel like that’s my driving role in life.”

As she begins her new role, Katie looks forward to helping make the Jeff Wyler Club a place where kids and families know they belong.