Kate Hurst
Kate is a Sydney-based creative director, consultant, and thought leader with over 15 years of experience developing brand and experience strategies that help businesses scale with purpose. Known for her emotional intelligence and ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives, she builds design systems, digital platforms, and immersive experiences that foster connection and drive growth.
Working across industries and disciplines, Kate partners with founders and teams to build the creative foundations for sustainable success. She also curates bespoke teams of designers, developers, and producers—delivering work that’s not only beautifully crafted but deeply grounded in insight, impact, and commercial relevance.
Public Speaking
Kate’s Approach
Biography
Public
Speaking
Kate is a sought-after speaker known for delivering engaging, insightful talks on creativity, brand, and purpose. With over 15 years of experience, she brings clarity, warmth, and intelligence to every stage—whether speaking at TEDx Sydney, Creative Mornings, Vivid Ideas, or the Purpose Conference.
Her talks explore the space where creativity meets commerce, offering practical insight into brand building, human-centred design, and purposeful growth.
Kate has presented at leading creative and cultural events across Australia, with her talks praised for their depth, generosity, and ability to leave audiences inspired and ready to act.
Kate's
Approach
At the core of Kate’s work is a deep commitment to the well-being and balance of the founders she collaborates with. She believes that thriving in the creative industry requires more than just innovative ideas—it calls for a healthy work-life balance and a strong sense of purpose. This belief shapes how she creates and leads, ensuring the businesses she supports are not only successful, but also sustainable.
Her creative philosophy is rooted in authenticity and longevity. Kate works closely with clients to humanise their brands, avoiding cookie-cutter approaches. By crafting narratives that reflect the core values of founders and their teams, she builds brands that last and truly connect with audiences.
Kate helps transform chaos and confusion into clarity and confidence. She’s passionate about supporting sustainable growth in the creative industries, connecting business owners with the right resources and helping them implement long-term plans that move them forward with purpose.
Biography
Kate Hurst started her career in fine arts before moving into the fashion world, where she built her own internationally stocked label from a garage in Surry Hills. That entrepreneurial chapter gave her a deep understanding of the creative industry’s demands, including the very real risk of burnout. It also sparked her drive to support other brands navigating similar challenges.
Over time, her work evolved beyond fashion into a broader, purpose-led space. She began partnering with brands working on world-changing ideas, from climate tech to social impact. What set her apart was her ability to blend creativity with clear strategic thinking, helping businesses grow with both heart and structure.
Kate’s expertise now spans brand strategy, digital design, leadership and consulting. She brings a sharp eye for the big picture, always paired with practical solutions grounded in real business needs
As technology reshapes the way businesses grow, Kate has embraced new tools, particularly AI and organisational systems that help small teams achieve big things. She is excited by the opportunities these shifts create and is focused on helping clients succeed in this evolving landscape.
Her client work is diverse, spanning the NSW Government, Purpose Conference, emerging fashion designers and consulting firms working on sustainable infrastructure. Across every project, Kate brings a thoughtful, purpose-driven approach, combining creative vision with strategic clarity to deliver meaningful results.
