Life & Work with Kateri Wozny of Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kateri Wozny.

Hi Kateri, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. Growing up in Minneapolis, MN, I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in media. I started volunteering with a children’s community television program when I was just 9-years-old, where I got my first taste of television production and quickly fell in love with the industry.

I earned my Bachelor of Science in Journalism from St. Cloud State University, where I received an Associated Press award for my coverage of the Senator Paul Wellstone memorial while reporting for KVSC-FM. After graduating, I built my career in both print and broadcast journalism, working as a freelance reporter for publications throughout the Minneapolis area before joining KSTP-TV as an Assignment Desk Editor. During my time there, our newsroom earned a National Emmy Award for its coverage of the 2007 I-35W Bridge collapse – an experience that reinforced the importance of accurate, impactful journalism.

In 2010, I made the move to Southern California to continue growing my career and I’ve called Los Angeles home ever since. Over the years, I’ve written for numerous local, regional and national publications, covering everything from community news and lifestyle stories to education, business and breaking news. One of the things I enjoy most about journalism is giving people the opportunity to share their stories and highlighting the people, businesses and events that make communities unique.

My experience also includes broadcast news, where I worked as a Traffic Producer at CBS Los Angeles and later as an Assignment Desk Manager and Web Producer at KEYT News Channel 3 in Santa Barbara. Eventually, I expanded into public relations, marketing and strategic communications, giving me experience on both sides of the media industry. Whether I’m creating content, managing communications or developing marketing strategies, I enjoy finding creative ways to connect organizations with their audiences.

Outside of my professional work, I’m passionate about creating digital content. I created my Instagram and TikTok channel, @socaluncorked, to share my love of California wine through fun, approachable and educational content. As someone who pours California wines in off-premise accounts and earned my California Wine Appellation Specialist certification through the San Francisco Wine School in 2025, I enjoy making wine more accessible for both new and experienced wine enthusiasts. From filming and editing videos to writing scripts and researching wineries, I love every part of the creative process.

I also create lifestyle and travel content on my personal Instagram, @kitkatwozny and TikTok, @kitkatw0706, where I share events, restaurants, travel adventures and everyday experiences throughout California and beyond. Through both my wine and lifestyle platforms, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of well-known brands and I’m excited to continue growing my audience while creating authentic, engaging content that inspires others to explore new places, experiences and of course, great wine.

These days, you’ll usually find me exploring new restaurants and wineries, attending local events, traveling, discovering hidden gems around Southern California, creating content for social media, hiking and attending Barre classes. I’m always looking for my next story, whether it’s through journalism, content creation or simply sharing experiences that inspire others.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any career, my journey hasn’t been without its challenges. There have been stories that didn’t come together because a source became unavailable or stopped responding, deadlines that shifted unexpectedly and freelance projects where I had to follow up on late payments. The media industry has also changed significantly over the years. The passage of Assembly Bill 5 (AB 5) reshaped opportunities for many freelance journalists and the COVID-19 pandemic led to budget cuts, downsizing and the closure of numerous publications. It still continues to this day.

Despite those challenges, I’ve always believed in staying positive and adapting to change. Every experience has taught me something valuable, whether it’s becoming a stronger communicator, improving my reporting skills or learning how to navigate an ever-evolving industry. Journalism, communications and content creation are fields where you’re constantly learning and that’s one of the things I enjoy most. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, build new skills and become even better at what I do.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Today my work centers around journalism, digital content creation and wine education. I enjoy helping organizations and audiences connect through compelling stories, whether that’s writing articles, creating social media content or producing videos from concept to final edit.

I’m probably best known for being a storyteller. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in print journalism, television news, public relations, marketing and technical communications, which has given me a well-rounded perspective on how to communicate effectively across different platforms and audiences.

One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is building my wine brand, @socaluncorked, where I create fun, educational content that makes California wine more approachable. Earning my California Wine Appellation Specialist certification has allowed me to combine my professional communications background with a personal passion for wine and I’ve enjoyed collaborating with wineries and national brands while growing an engaged community.

What sets me apart is my versatility. I can interview a source, write a news story, develop a communications campaign, edit technical content, film and edit a video, or create a social media strategy – all while keeping storytelling at the center of everything I do. I genuinely enjoy learning new skills, adapting to changes in the industry and finding creative ways to engage audiences across both traditional and digital media.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to gain as much real-world experience as possible and find mentors who are willing to share their knowledge. You can learn a lot in the classroom but nothing compares to actually doing the work. Say yes to opportunities, ask questions, be curious and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Every experience – even the challenging ones – will help you grow.

You’re also going to make mistakes and that’s okay. Some of my biggest lessons have come from projects that didn’t go as planned or situations that challenged me professionally. Those experiences taught me resilience, adaptability and how to become a stronger communicator. Growth doesn’t happen without a few bumps along the way.

If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to enjoy the journey and be more present. Early in my career, I was so focused on succeeding and proving myself that I didn’t always take the time to appreciate the experiences I was having or celebrate the small wins along the way. Looking back, I realize how important those moments were. Success isn’t just about reaching the next milestone – it’s also about enjoying the people you meet, the stories you tell and the experiences that shape your career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kateriwozny.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kitkatwozny and www.instagram.com/socaluncorked
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwozny
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@kitkatw0706 and www.tiktok.com/@socaluncorked

Image Credits
Credit: Kateri Wozny