Meet Kat Bertram, SBTHP’s New Director of Programs

By Kevin McGarry, Associate Director for Public Engagement 

Kat Bertram joined the Santa Barbara Trust For Historic Preservation (SBTHP) team in July 2025. As Director of Programs, Kat plans and oversees SBTHP’s public and school programming at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and Casa de la Guerra, as well as our virtual programming, education outreach and partnerships, and maintaining, updating and creating new resources for educators. She is also responsible for the training, scheduling and management of our Programs Department staff, interns and volunteers.  

Kat recently relocated to the Central Coast from Colorado where she served as Volunteer & Collections Manager at the Global Village Museum of Arts & Cultures in Fort Collins. Kat joins our talented SBTHP team with an academic and professional background in the cross-sectional fields of art, history, education, and museums. Kat’s recent experience in developing and implementing school and public programs, volunteer coordination and management, collections and curation/exhibits work, and fostering community outreach and partnerships makes her a great fit for the Director of Programs role. 

Tell us a little about yourself and your upbringing/family. 

I grew up in rural North Carolina, where there wasn’t much happening in town, but I always found ways to stay busy. I was raised Buddhist in the rural Bible Belt, which led to some… interesting experiences but I always had my family. My brother was my default bestie, and together we spent countless hours with our dogs, exploring the woods and creek behind our house, practicing martial arts, and keeping up with our cryptid-obsessed parents. My grandmother and I have always been close, perhaps because I share her name, Yoshie. She lived with us while I was growing up, and we still talk every day. 

What did you do professionally before joining the SBTHP team? 

Before joining SBTHP, I worked in museums and cultural organizations in curatorial, collections, and educational roles. I’ve managed collections and volunteers, developed exhibitions, led classes from undergraduate lectures to art workshops, and built partnerships with local communities. Across all these experiences, I’ve loved combining creativity, history, and public engagement. 

Tell us about why you chose to work at SBTHP? 

I came to California after my partner received a great job opportunity, and as soon as I decided to join them, I began looking for work in museums, non-profits, and public education. When I found this posting, it felt almost too good to be true—an organization committed to bringing the rich histories and diverse cultures of the Presidio Neighborhood to life for the community. I’m deeply passionate about the ways historic sites and museums foster community connections through education and cultural programming, so the position felt like a perfect fit. 

What do you enjoy most about the role and what projects are you working on now? 

What I’ve enjoyed most so far is getting to know Santa Barbara—its layered history, the cultures and communities that have shaped it, and how those stories connect to the Presidio Neighborhood. It’s such a beautiful place to explore and learn from, and I feel fortunate that my work allows me to engage with that history every day. 

Right now, I’m working on the 16th-annual Asian American Neighborhood Festival, which honors the vibrant Asian American communities that lived and built their lives in and around the Presidio Neighborhood during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We’re bringing together amazing vendors and performances, and I’m excited to see it all come together as a vibrant celebration. 

Tell us something interesting about yourself we would never guess… 

When I’m not at work, I’m usually keeping up with all things sci-fi. Star Wars is my favorite—especially the extended universe and Old Republic era—but I also love diving into any new sci-fi video games and shows that come out. I’ve also been an artist for most of my life, and I still create regularly. I’ve primarily focused on digital illustration and ceramics, and I’ve recently started returning to painting for the first time since before grad school. 

To see SBTHP’s upcoming public programs & events, visit: sbthp.org/events 

To learn about SBTHP’s youth & school programming, visit: sbthp.org/youth-programs