Kate Ward – who was born in Newport Beach, Calif., and moved to Maryland, Michigan, then Pennsylvania, before graduating from Downingtown High School – is the Founder and CEO of Ward Design, a strategic branding, website design, and marketing studio.

Ward said she remembers “drawing ‘brochures’ to advertise my pet-sitting services to our neighbors when I was about 12 or 13.” She earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.

When asked who, other than a family member, has had the biggest impact on her career, Ward said, “It’s impossible not to mention my dad, who was my daily mentor in business until he died of cancer in 2014. But I’m also grateful to have met so many people in this business community who have gone above and beyond to help me throughout my career.”

Ward said that starting her own company is her proudest professional achievement.

“Launching my own business has been a dream of mine for years, so starting Ward Design has been the most incredible experience for me,” she said. “I love having the opportunity to be creative every day, work with remarkable clients, and leverage my experience to help a variety of companies.”

Ward lives within walking distance of downtown Phoenixville, and therefore has too many favorite restaurants to count.

“But I have to admit that every year on my birthday, I drive to the other side of Chester County to have lunch outside at The Whip Tavern in Coatesville – it’s a gem of a spot.”