Meet Emily Kortan | Marketing Director | Art & Music Lover

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Kortan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, why did you pursue a creative career?
As a child, I loved art and drawing. Growing up, I knew that I wanted to use that creativity along with the desire to help people in the workplace but wasn’t sure how. I found graphic design and pursued that as my career. I happened upon a job opportunity with a local nonprofit organization called Living Hope Dream Centers and found God’s calling there. Everything that I was looking for fell right into place: using art to help people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The faith-based organization I work for is Living Hope Dream Centers. Living Hope offers services and support to pregnant women and families – everything from baby supplies to housing. I am proud to work for this organization that gives parents hope and courage when they face an unplanned pregnancy, providing supplies for families struggling to pay for diapers and clothes, and giving pregnant moms a safe place to stay when they have no where else to go. I love the people I work with and those who support the organization! Everyone truly cares about these moms and families, no matter what they are going through or what path they take.

How I came to my eventual role of Marketing Director at Living Hope Dream Centers was easy. But the journey here has been hard. If you’ve ever worked in a nonprofit, you know how difficult it is. You learn multiple skills and juggle multiple tasks all while doing your best to raise funds so that you can help people in need. But….it is so worth it to see lives saved and transformed!

I’ve learned that even when the challenges and the change come, people’s need is always there and you have to be flexible to work with what you have to meet that need. Though it feels like everything else has changed, the mission doesn’t. I’ve helped Living Hope in multiple roles to fill in gaps – everything from working directly with families to designing marketing material. I am not fond of change but that change has stretched me beyond anything I could have imagined. If you told me even just 6 years ago that I would be where I am today and experience what I have experienced, I would be shocked.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and raised in little ole Springerville, AZ and still live here!

You probably haven’t heard of Springerville. It’s a tiny town tucked away in the White Mountains of Arizona. But it’s home for me. I love this town and the people. Life is simpler here. Sure, it doesn’t have the entertainment, shopping, and amenities of the city, but the people and way of life here is more than that.

The place to eat is Trailriders, where you get a taste of the friendly, Western culture here. There is also a great place called Wildfire Coffee and Smoothies that is my favorite go-to for morning pick-me-ups or afternoon treats. Another fun place to stop is Western Drug, a mercantile with a pharmacy and ice cream parlor and carrying everything from hunting/camping gear to vintage candy. Both visitors and locals alike love that store! There are great fishing spots, hiking trails, and more to enjoy the outdoors. Sunrise Ski Resort is just 30 minutes away. Plus, our town is pretty proud of John Wayne’s old ranch he used to own.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without God. Like I said, He gave me the desire to help people and the creativity and artistic skills to do what I love. To be purpose-driven from an early age is a gift and I am truly thankful for that. I am also thankful to my family who have encouraged me in whatever I wanted to pursue and pushed me to continue to do fine art in my free time even when work makes me busy.

Website: livinghopecenters.org