Kait Pedigo, 30 / Events Manager, Roanoke Outside Foundation
Kait Pedigo earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English from the University of Vermont, studying Shakespearean drama at the University of Kent in England. She went on to become Director of Programs at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing and Events Supervisor at Roanoke City Parks and Recreation before taking on the Events Manager position at Roanoke Outside Foundation. Major events include the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon 2022, Down by Downtown Music Festival, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross Race and Anthem GO Outside Festival, as well as past events such as the city’s Independence Day Fireworks, Summer Cross Cyclocross races, Virginia Municipal League Host Night, Disco Mountain bike races, Kids to Parks Day, WazUpwidis Urban Stair Challenge and more. She has previously volunteered with Mill Mountain Theatre and Humble Hustle. “I am passionate about sensational experiences and bringing people together. My hope is that we host these races and festivals and events in such a way that forms and fortifies our connections with our community. With GO Fest, the Blue Ridge Marathon, and any other event we do, I want more and more people to feel welcome to join in on the fun and ultimately leave seeing themselves as a part of something special.”
- Director of Programs at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing
- Events Supervisor at Roanoke City Parks and Recreation
- Earned Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and English, cum laude, University of Vermont, 2013
- Events include: Current: Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon 2022, Down by Downtown Music Festival, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross Race, and the Anthem Go Outside Festival; Past: The Project Outside Benefit Concert during the peak of the pandemic, The City’s Independence Day Fireworks, Disco Mountain Bike races, Kids to Parks Day, Summer Cross Cyclocross races, Virginia Municipal League Host Night, WazUpwidis Urban Stair Challenge, Weddings and more
From the Nomination: “Kait Pedigo has become an integral part of the Roanoke Region’s outdoor event team. … Her attention to detail, work ethic, and endlessly positive attitude have endeared her to all that know her. Once you’ve worked with her, you can’t imagine someone else filling her shoes. … She makes every chore more fun, she makes every task feel easier and is infectiously optimistic. She has merged seamlessly with the Roanoke Outside and Roanoke Regional Partnership team, and we feel lucky that she is a part of our team. … Truly her optimism and positive attitude knows no bounds, and it is contagious. When she is on the job all parties involved feel like they can accomplish anything, and they do! Thanks to Kait’s leadership, events like the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Go Cross Race, and the Anthem Go Outside Festival have had a positive impact on our community, even during the tough year’s under COVID. Without her dedication and efforts this would not have been possible. She is also a true creative, coming up with unique and artistic ideas that inspire the staff and volunteers she leads. Her knack for building unique event space, unique marketing design elements and communicating with the masses is special. We know Kait will continue to do great things for the Roanoke Region, leading and inspiring our outdoor community for years to come.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
Pedigo: “Roanoke, through the landscape and the people, rewards your best efforts. Go for a run or bike ride and receive radical encouragement from other runners or bikers, climb a mountain and find a world-class view, start a business and see a new community forms around it, create art and see it inspire more art (have you seen all these murals lately!?), champion a cause and witness real progress. It’s not always easy, but when something is truly good, Roanoke makes room and shows up.”
How does your passion impact our community?
Pedigo: “I am passionate about sensational experiences and bringing people together. My hope is that we host these races and festivals and events in such a way that forms and fortifies our connections with our community. With GO Fest, the Blue Ridge Marathon, and any other event we do, I want more and more people to feel welcome to join in on the fun and ultimately leave seeing themselves as a part of something special.”
