Founded in 2010, with offices in San Diego, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Katalyst provides PR, social, digital and brand strategy services to travel & hospitality, culinary, lifestyle, CPG and real estate brands - we represent the best in the industry and have built our business on referrals and word of mouth.
Always looking ahead, Katalyst is breaking the mold and showing value and creativity above what a typical PR agency brings. We are driven by telling stories through a steady stream of press coverage—what differentiates us is that we don’t limit ourselves there. We offer expanded services that deepen the emotional connection between our clients and their audiences and provide lasting impressions.
We work with brands big, small, and all sizes in between, so we grasp the growth process, goals, and unique challenges each stage brings. From brand strategy, social media and content creation, influencer relations, partnerships and activations, to photography, video, graphic design and digital marketing services, our strategy is different for each one of our clients, maximizing their resources and time, and allowing us to create the most thoughtful and impactful campaigns for whatever season they are in.
By only representing brands that inspire us, we are able to tell our clients' stories in an authentic way and secure meaningful press placements. When Katalyst was established the aim on day one was – and still is – to provide an unmatched level of personal service and results. Our clients continue to see value in working with us, because we aren’t a third party vendor. We are part of their team.
Katherine Randall
Founder
Prior to founding Katalyst PR in 2010, Katherine garnered her PR knowledge working both in-house and at several top lifestyle PR firms directing publicity campaigns, as well as launching e-commerce business as the director of communication. This vast experience provided Katherine with an in-depth understanding of PR, digital marketing and social media. Katherine founded Katalyst to work with brands and industries she and her team are passionate about, while providing a hands-on approach and creating long term partnerships with clients, a goal the agency still holds. Originally from Chicago, Katherine graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in Journalism and Business, and has called San Diego home since 2003. She is a Board Member for the Berry Good Food Foundation, a committee member for The Old Globe, and part of San Diego Restaurant Networking Group.
Dawn Seymour
Managing Partner
Successfully navigating the media and PR industry throughout her career, Dawn Seymour has shaped a top roster of clients during her years at Katalyst, building strategies, comprehensive PR plans and creating a strong media network along the way. A passionate storyteller, Dawn started her career on the media side later joining a leading hospitality PR firm where she tapped into her writing skills and trend expertise to direct campaigns for national lifestyle products and culinary brands. The lifelong foodie is passionate about health and wellness and currently lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and two sons.
Paulina Milan
Senior Publicity Director
Paulina brings experience working on both bi-cultural and bi-coastal public relations campaigns to Katalyst. Her passion for communication and a true love for the culinary and hospitality industries drives her dedication and work ethic, where she has managed the media relations at Katalyst for the last seven years. A San Diego native, Paulina graduated from Manhattan College in New York with a major in Public Relations and received a minor in Spanish while studying in Madrid.
Mallory Laird
Operations Manager
Mallory brings years of experience in PR and business operations to Katalyst. With a deep-rooted understanding of the industry, she combines a passion for creative collaboration and a dedication to team growth and development to implement strategic initiatives and processes. Mallory grew up in Ohio and attended Ohio University before moving to San Diego to begin her career. Outside of the office, Mallory enjoys spending time at the beach, reading a good book, and exploring the restaurant scene with friends.
Matthew Van Court
Account Manager
With over a decade of professional experience within the hospitality industry, Matthew channeled this passion into a career in public relations earning him a reputation as a creative strategist with a proven track record for bringing client’s stories to life. His approach to PR includes a healthy dose of strategic analysis, experienced-based intuition, and good ole’ fashioned hustle. He has worked with nonprofits, arts and culture organizations, immersive experiences, restaurants, real estate and design clients, and communities throughout the country. A San Diego native, Matthew majored in Journalism & Media Studies at San Diego State University. Outside of work, you can find him soaking in some sunshine with an iced coffee or exploring the newest neighborhood bakery and all things delicious in San Diego.
Becca Koshley
Social Media Manager
A San Diego native, Becca brings years of marketing and copywriting experience to Katalyst working with brands in the hospitality, CPG, and lifestyle spaces. With a degree in Journalism and Media Studies with an emphasis in Advertising, she has an eye and passion for authentic and captivating storytelling as well as aesthetic and well-branded content creation. Becca aims to create, foster, and expand communities through social strategy and connections. Outside of work, Becca’s passions include reading, cooking, and spending time with her dog, George Clooney.
Justine Marzoni-Mead
Senior Publicist
When it comes to food & beverage, Justine has a big appetite and big ideas. She brings a keen interest and knowledge of locally sourced ingredients and seasonality to the team at Katalyst, as well as hands-on experience launching and operating an artisanal CPG brand and years spent working closely with farmers and foodmakers in the vast Southern California farmers market scene. Born and raised in San Diego, Justine has invaluable familiarity with the local flavor and niche communities of her hometown. She holds a BA in Communication Studies from University of San Diego and a Masters in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University.
Sarah Toth
Publicist
Sarah brings a passion for storytelling and content creation to her role at Katalyst, as well as years of experience with influencer marketing and PR campaigns through various internships and freelancing opportunities. A recent graduate from Arizona State University, Sarah holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication specializing in Public Relations. Coming from Buffalo, New York, Sarah is excited to call San Diego her new home and explore all that it has to offer.
Olivia Duncan
Junior Publicist
A self-proclaimed foodie, Olivia’s genuine love for food, drinks and hospitality align perfectly with her work at Katalyst. Olivia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with minors in Marketing and Information Technology Management from the University of San Diego.
Erica Flores
Junior Publicist
Erica brings years of public relations experience to Katalyst, working with startups in the food, beverage consumer and hospitality industries. She enjoys storytelling and connecting with media, clients, and account teams is what fuels her passion for PR. Erica attended the University of Oregon, where she received her degree in public relations and a minor in Spanish. As a San Diego local, Erica returned home to California after graduation to pursue a career in public relations.
Sydney Toth
Senior Social Media Coordinator
Sydney is a social media and branding specialist who brings creativity and passion to her work at Katalyst. With a knack for authentic storytelling, she showcases the true nature of brands in the lifestyle and hospitality industry. A graphic design graduate from Loyola Marymount University, Sydney is currently pursuing an online MBA in luxury digital media management at Sup De Luxe in France. Her other passions include writing, fitness, travel, and serving as a personal stylist for friends.
Madeline White
Content Creator
Madeline brings an eye for visuals and content creation to Katalyst’s social media clients. Capturing the beauty, aesthetic, and authentic personality of a brand is her true purpose. Specializing in short-form video content creation and branding, Madeline aims to build loyal and engaged communities through diverse social media strategies. Originally from Rhode Island, Madeline graduated with a marketing degree and TMD minor at The University Of Rhode Island. Her other passions include creating clothes for her online store, photography, traveling and staying active.