Catie Kerns
Catie Kerns serves as the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for Global Partners LP, where she leads corporate growth, transformation initiatives, and strategic alignment to ensure the company’s sustained success. Catie’s journey with Global began in 2004 as a consultant, where she played a pivotal role in securing difficult-to-obtain permits and authorizations to support the company’s expansion.
Her responsibilities quickly grew to include the development of the community, government affairs, and permitting strategy, building a highly effective team in the process. Catie then took on corporate and internal communications, as well as the creation of Global’s sustainability team, responsible for launching the company’s first EV charging and clean fuels programs. She also founded the innovation team, tasked with identifying and incubating new business opportunities to keep Global at the forefront of industry advancements.
In her leadership role, Catie has driven significant company-wide initiatives, such as the 2024 company rebrand and the development of industry-leading programs in clean fuels and community and government affairs. Her efforts have been instrumental in positioning Global as a forward-thinking company, prepared to navigate and excel in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Catie is also responsible for leading the company’s corporate transformation efforts, ensuring the organization remains aligned with its strategic goals and is well-positioned for geographic growth and scale.
Catie had an impressive career as a permitting strategist and community affairs consultant. She founded Stewardship Solutions, a consulting firm that combines permitting services with community relations and reputation management. Catie’s expertise spans complex regulatory and community issues, having led the permitting, government affairs, and communications strategy for one of the nation’s largest renewable diesel refineries.
Her deep knowledge of environmental regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and various other permits has helped her clients navigate challenges and seize market opportunities. Throughout her career, Catie has advised clients in industries such as refining, terminaling, mining, and bulk storage, guiding projects through complex regulatory landscapes while protecting corporate reputations.
Outside of work, Catie enjoys life on a cattle ranch with her husband and is passionate about saltwater fly fishing, cooking, and her nephews and niece.