Kate Durham, '96, Brings Communications Experience to NIUAA Board of Directors
By Tony Scott

Kate Durham, '96, was named to the NIUAA Board of Directors effective July 1. (Photo by Walgreens Boots Alliance)

Kate Durham, ’96, is bringing her experience as a veteran communications executive, most recently in the position of vice president of communications and events for Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), to the NIU Alumni Association (NIUAA) Board of Directors as she joined the board on  July 1.
 

For Durham, who is taking a professional break after leaving WBA in January, joining the NIUAA Board of Directors is a way of giving back to the university that gave her many important life lessons.

“This seems like a great opportunity to use my professional strengths for the good of the university,” she said. 

NIU is also special to Durham because it’s where she met her husband, DeKalb native and fellow Huskie Craig Hammett, ’97, M.S. ’05. 
 

While at NIU, Durham worked as a reporter and anchor for WNIJ radio and as a paid public relations intern for Family Service Agency. 

“I learned my professional chops during these experiences and they truly helped shape me into my career,” she said.
 

As an alumna, Durham helps mentor students and shares stories of her experiences at NIU. 

“I try not to overwhelm students when they ask for advice but often make the point that many of the decisions you make at ages 18 through 22 set the foundation for many years to come,” she said.

Although hard work and long hours were involved, those lessons learned during Durham’s internships and jobs while at NIU were invaluable.
 

“I often find myself pointing to hard work as a key differentiator in one’s career path and that’s something Huskies can relate to,” she said. “One notable experience of mine at NIU that always makes people gasp is that I worked every Saturday and Sunday morning 5:30-9 a.m. for about 18 months at WNIJ. Christmas and New Year’s fell on the weekends twice within that time frame and I never missed a shift. I look back so fondly on that time even though it was hard work. My assistant news director and other professionals I met via the university helped shape me into an adult and gave me world class advice."

Durham often goes out of her way to help fellow Huskies who need a connection or a helping hand.

“I hope to give back to NIU some of what I received there,” she said. “Being an engaged alumna is important to me because alumni were really good to me when I was learning and plotting out my career.” 

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