Katie Cavender joined the College Football Playoff staff in August 2018 as its assistant director of communications and branding. Now in her 21st year in intercollegiate athletics and sixth at the CFP, Cavender manages the organization’s media relations, public relations and branding strategies, which includes direct oversight over its digital and social media portfolio. Under her direction, the content creation team for the 2022 national championship game became the first in Hashtag Sports Awards history to be named Social Team of the Year.
Cavender joined the CFP team after spending 11 years with the Mountain West Conference, the last five as the league’s Assistant Commissioner of Advanced Media and Digital Strategy where she was responsible for the strategic vision, execution and analysis of the MW’s brand across its digital platforms across social, web and mobile channels. In 2015, she led the Conference to a spot on the Cynopsis Sports Leaderboard, which recognizes the nation’s best sports social media campaigns throughout the year. She also played an integral role in the launch of the inaugural MW Football Championship Game in 2013, as well as the implementation of the three-time Emmy award-winning Mountain West Network that was recognized for technical achievement in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Prior to her concluding role as Assistant Commissioner, Cavender served as the MW’s Director of New Media and Technology from 2010-2013 and its Multimedia Coordinator from 2007-2010.
A native of Elko, Nevada, Cavender graduated with honors from the University of Nevada with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Following graduation, she served as a public relations intern with the Pac-10 Conference, where she served as the primary media contact for Pac-10 baseball, swimming & diving and tennis and the secondary contact for women’s volleyball and men’s basketball, while also serving on the media coordination staff for the 2006 BCS National Championship at the Rose Bowl Game. Cavender went on to a role with Boise State, where she was the assistant media coordinator for the MPC Computers Bowl and provided day-to-day support in facilities, game operations and travel planning.
Cavender received her Master's of Education degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington. She serves on the executive board of the Sports Management Program at the University of Nevada and is currently a member of the Sports Video Group (SVG) College Advisory Committee.
