Daily Inspiration: Meet Kitty Gayner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitty Gayner

Hi Kitty, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Kitty, the founder, president, and director of the WOTTHC. Originally from Michigan, I moved to North Carolina in 2021 and started the Hiking Club the very day I arrived. This personal journey began with my desire to find solace in female friendship and explore the hiking trails in the area. I couldn’t find a hiking group that matched what I was looking for, an outdoor community that was not focused on miles but on connection. Since then, my “little club” has become a 501(c)(3) organization with more than 6,600 members — women united by their love for hiking and a shared aspiration to enrich their lives. While I’m proud to be the founder, the essence of this organization is defined by the remarkable women who have joined this ever-expanding adventure. When I’m not out on the trails, you’ll find me running, painting, enjoying the company of my cats, and spending quality time with my friends.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest struggle has been overcoming my lack of nonprofit experience. I “Googled my way” to official 501(c)(3) status before I really even knew what that meant. My background is in a totally unrelated field: pastry arts! This meant that the learning curve was steep, but I’ve had so much support that I feel like I’m well on my way to overcoming the imposter syndrome. Community leaders like Michelle Wells, Director of NC Recreation and Park Association, were an early influence and encouraged me to pursue this journey. I’ve learned so much!
Also notably challenging has been the drive to build an organization run entirely by volunteers. Employee management versus volunteerism is a totally new ball game. People are motivated by their “why,” not their paycheck, which changes the entire leadership dynamic. I’m most proud of the team I have built and grateful that they’ve given me the opportunity to grow and learn alongside them. They inspire me every day and encourage me to keep tackling challenges head-on.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My day job is as a program specialist in the park and recreation field, but the Women of the Triangle Hiking Club is my passion project and labor of love. Many would call me a “catalyst” and I think it fits. I bring a strong blend of curiosity, energy, organization, and focus to meeting my goals. I’m highly driven and feel incredibly fulfilled by my work as a community leader.

I am most proud of how quickly this hiking club gained popularity. Within three years, WOTTHC grew to include more than 6,600 members and a team of over 40 dedicated volunteers. This rapid growth prompted the formation of a board of directors and a team of experienced hike leaders. The rapid scaling and the ability to keep up is something I take pride in, but also lend most of the credit to my team. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t asked for and received help, and I am really proud of that, too.

What sets our club apart from others is that we focus on creating an inclusive and supportive environment where women can enjoy hiking and their love of the outdoors while making meaningful relationships within their community. We are incredibly organized and dependable. We put so much effort into making women feel welcomed and safe by offering opportunities that speak to all types of hikers. We often hear “I finally found my people” from new members, which I think is unique to WOTTHC. We offer “newbies-only” hikes for the members with social anxiety, “Love Your Body” hikes for women who need that extra nudge to hike in the sports bra they’ve been too shy to rock in public, and tons of other hike themes like “Trail Snails” for those in recovery or who desire a more scenic pace while trekking. We also offer stewardship opportunities, like trail building and invasive species removal activities, for those who want to give back. Partnerships like those with the Carolina Climber’s Coalition and Triangle Land Conservancy support these initiatives and provide a variety of opportunities for our members. WOTTHC is so much more than just group hiking!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness to me is campfire hot dogs, colorful stickers, sparkly things, baby animals, iced coffees, and scream-laughing. I like to think I’m in touch with my inner child and try to do the things that spark joy. I love the mountains, which is cliche of course, but the Smokies are magic and I’ll die on that hill. Put me in a tent with some good friends, and I’ll never want for more.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wotthc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womenofthetrianglehikingclub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenofthetrianglehikingclub

Image Credits
The main photo and large group photo (the one in the picnic shelter) are by Lindsey Warren @ https://lindseywarrenphoto.com/
The 2 Grand Canyon photos are by Claire Fleming at https://claireflemingcreative.com/