If thereās a spreadsheet to balance, a budget to protect, or a mission to strengthen, Katie Vernon is already on it, usually while juggling ten other things for the good of the community.
Katie Vernon, Treasurer of the Board
Originally from Sacramento, Katieās path to the South Bay wasnāt exactly linear. After time in the Bay Area for school and work, raising four kids, and navigating a few life pivots along the way, she finally found her āescape velocityā when she moved to Hermosa Beach in 2018. It didnāt take long for her to put down roots and start showing up.
A natural leader with a deep instinct for service, Katie quickly became involved in local nonprofit and civic spaces, including Leadership Hermosa Beach and the Chamberās foundation work. Her ability to step in, figure things out, and elevate systems didnāt go unnoticed. So when she was asked a simple questionāāDo you know anything about money?āāher answer was classic Katie: āIāll learn.ā
That willingness led her to Pride, where she now serves as CFO.
In her role, Katie is the organizationās financial backbone ensuring transparency, accountability, and sustainability. From managing budgets and filing nonprofit taxes to advising on spending decisions and long-term planning, she brings both precision and perspective. Sheās the voice in the room asking the important questions: How do we make this work? How do we sustain it? And how do we grow it so we can give back even more?
For Katie, itās not just about numbersāitās about impact.
āMy whole goal is to make money so we can give money,ā she says.
Katie and her wife Arlene (left), leading the annual Hermosa Pride Parade to the rainbow lifeguard tower meetup point.
That mindset reflects her broader approach to community: thoughtful, inclusive, and deeply invested. Whether sheās helping fund events, advocating for responsible growth, or brainstorming new ways to expand Prideās reach, Katie is always thinking about how to build something that lasts, and serves.
Outside of Pride, Katie recently made a bold moveāleaving her career at a major medical center to launch her own company, Umbrella, a wellness brand focused on beauty, mind, and body. Sheās also a proud mom of four, grandmother, and partner to Arlene, who played a key role in bringing her to the South Bay.
What keeps Katie grounded in all of it is the community itself.
She believes Prideās strength lies in its size, small enough to be personal, but powerful enough to create real connection. Itās a place where people are seen, where volunteers become leaders, and where showing up truly matters.
And Katie? Sheās not going anywhere.
āThis is something I really care about,ā she says. āIām a lifer.ā
Katie Vernon (right) with fellow HB Pride co-founders Izzy Bacallao (left), and Randy Renner (center) at the Hermosa Beach Pride Tower. Photographed by Monica Orozco, Southbay Magazine
āØ About Hermosa Beach Pride š
Hermosa Beach Pride is a community-based organization dedicated to celebrating diversity, inclusion, and love in the South Bay. Through year-round events, partnerships, and advocacy, HB Pride works to create safe, visible, and joyful spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to connect and thrive.
