Catherine Hirko is a communications strategist and former journalist who has spent more than two decades telling the stories of the people, businesses, and communities shaping Central Pennsylvania.

Her career began in local journalism, where she spent more than 20 years reporting and leading newsrooms including theYork Daily Record and the (Hanover) Evening Sun. During that time she managed and helped to shape the content that reporters, editors and photographer produced, while also contributing her own work. Her teams explored business, community issues, and the regional economy across a variety of platforms, including print and the industry’s transition to digital publishing and storytelling.

She later served as Associate Publisher at the Central Penn Business Journal, helping shape coverage of the economic forces driving the midstate and Lehigh Valley regions, from entrepreneurship and development to leadership and workforce issues. 

Today, Catherine serves as Director of Marketing and Communications for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, where she leads storytelling, brand strategy, social media messaging for a nonprofit serving 30 counties across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on connecting communities with mission-driven stories that highlight leadership, opportunity, and the positive impact of Girl Scouts.

Across Catherine's communications background, her work has centered on one theme: helping audiences understand the people and ideas shaping their communities. The best stories start with curiosity and a good conversation.