Staff

Meet Our Team

Kate Jennings, Executive Director

Kate Jennings joined Q2030 as the Executive Director in August 2021. Prior to this position, Kate served as Deputy Chief of Staff and District Director for Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, where she handled outreach and stakeholder management across a multicounty district that mirrors the diverse communities, employers, challenges, and opportunities of the Quad Cities region. Kate also served under multiple U.S. Senators in positions that allowed her to help plan outreach aimed at convening diverse groups to identify challenges and coalesce around shared goals.

Kate is thrilled to contribute to an organization that leverages regional partnerships to drive results for the Quad Cities. She looks forward to using her experience in relationship building, strategic planning, and stakeholder communication to help create positive change for our community.

Raised in Springfield, Illinois, Kate moved to the Quad Cities in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Bradley University and a Master of Agriculture degree in Professional Agriculture from Iowa State University.

Click here to see emailkate.jennings@q2030.org

Whitney Smith, Project Manager

Whitney Smith has been with Q2030 since November 2019, beginning with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce prior to the organization becoming an independent 501c3. Prior to this position, she was a Curriculum Developer on the Brand Management team at Deere & Company. She also spent several years with Bridgepoint Education in Learning and Development where she supported every aspect of the training development process.

Whitney is most excited about the opportunity to grow and develop the region and ensure that all Quad Citizens have the quality of life and place that they deserve. She brings experience with problem solving, process management, and relationship building to Q2030 and looks forward to applying these skills to big ideas that make big change.

Whitney has called the Quad Cities home since 1997. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Management & Marketing from St. Ashford University and Instructional Design from Ashford University as well as a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration from Ashford University.

Click here to see emailwhitney.smith@q2030.org