Kathie Thomas - Executive Director and Founder
Katherine Anne Thomas-Dietz

Executive Director & Founder

Beyond Concepts LLC | Innovation Business Consultant

After completing her BFA at the University of Kansas, Kathie pursued her career as a graphic designer, creative manager and innovation consultant in her over-35-year career with May Company, Maritz Motivation Company and FleishmanHillard. In 2013, she started Beyond Concepts, an innovation consultancy focused on business growth and transformation. 

As a proud mother of five children, she sought assistance for her family and one of her daughters suffering from addiction. During her intense journey, she turned to the expressive arts of poetry, collage and photography which provided a sense of ease, beauty and hope. Hope Creates was born out of her belief that creating a sober, creative and celebratory community of artists and entrepreneurs could help youth and young adults recovering from addiction and provide support to their families. Kathie is a Regional Arts Commission Community Artist Training Institute Fellow from the class of 2019.