“‘She believed she could. So she did.’ Having the support of others around you is so valuable, but nothing means more than having confidence in yourself," says Katy Easton. "I’ve found that when I believe in myself and trust that I have the skills and ability to get the job done, the voices and doubts of others just fade away.”
Katy may be an introvert at heart, but she loves to entertain and play the role of hostess. As CEO of the Downtown Billings Alliance, she is able to explore this talent and thrive.
“We are all things downtown!” she says. “We put on all events including the holiday parade, strawberry festival and Alive After 5.” The DBA also oversees business membership and economic development, purchases and waters the flower baskets and organizes snow removal, sidewalk sweeping, trashcans and graffiti cleanup.
Yet, moving to Billings began as a leap of faith for Katy. She grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, where she met and married her husband, James. When they sought a change of scenery, Billings seemed the ideal landing point.
“James grew up in Laurel, and most of his family is still in the area,” Katy explains. “It’s great to be close to our many nieces and nephews.” She believes the turning point in her life occurred after the big move.
“Leaving Colorado and a successful career in construction management for an adventure with my husband in Montana was a game changer. I had to dig deep to find a new passion for life, and looking back, it was worth every doubt and fear. I’m now in my dream job in a community that I love.”
Katy has never been one to shy away from a challenge, or an adventure.
“I was able to graduate from high school early and travel through Thailand and Vietnam during what would have been my senior year,” she recalls. “This was before cell phones and texting and FaceTime. I’m not sure my 18-year-old self had any business being that far away from home—but what an adventure!”
Those who know Katy would describe her as genuine. She loves the mountains but wouldn’t mind a beach vacation, complete with an adventure novel in one hand and a mai tai in the other.
If granted 100% financial freedom, she would love to operate an animal rescue.
“I want goats and dogs and cats and horses and cows and alpacas and pigs and maybe a donkey thrown in…and bees!”
At the end of the day, Katy is happiest when she is with her husband, mountain biking, trying new restaurants, playing cribbage in a brewery or sitting on the patio with their two big dogs and one tiny cat.