Kat Contreras

As a graphic designer and illustrator, Kat’s passion is connecting with people through deeply human and empathetic stories—and being part of the Optimist team since 2019 has given her the opportunity to do just that. Other recent projects range from commissioned album cover illustrations, to collaborating on a nonfiction book layout centered around the women’s suffrage movement, to strategic communication design for New Mexico’s 2020 Census campaign.

An eternal nomad, Kat has been on the move since 2003. Her journey has taken her across three different countries, from her native Venezuela, to Canada, to the U.S. Today, she lives in and works remotely from New Mexico—tomorrow, who knows? In her personal time, she enjoys long walks through nature and sketching the world around her.