In 2014, Katie left Philadelphia, PA, and moved to Portland, OR, to be closer to the mountains she craves and to challenge herself as an ultramarathon trail runner. Driven by curiosity and the thrill of what lies around each bend, she has found both home and inspiration in the countless miles of mountain trails she explores.

While navigating these trails, often alone in the wilderness, Katie became captivated by the patterns and lines on the topographic maps tucked in her pack. Her work is a blend of these maps with the landscapes and experiences she encounters in nature.

With a degree in illustration, Katie explored many mediums and crafts before her love for painting and the outdoors pulled her toward this latest body of work—a style she feels deeply connected to and genuinely fulfilled by.

Each painting begins with the contours of a map guiding her composition. She adjusts the colors to capture the mood of the place, then overlays acrylic paint and finishes the details with pen and ink. To her, the map’s contour lines are like nature’s fingerprints: unique to each place and each experience. Through her work, Katie strives to capture the connection people feel toward their favorite wild places.

Katie creates out of her studio in NE Portland, OR. Orders are fulfilled with the help of the FSB team and the support of her husband, Brian, who has been there to help build the company from the very beginning. She now shares her love for nature with their son Miles, and sweet pup, Silvie.

Alexandra Hagel is a creative producer, marketing specialist, and freelance artist who has built her career blending visual art with strategic marketing. With a degree in marketing, advertising, and focus in international business, and entrepreneurship from Portland State University, she has spent the past several years working as a marketing consultant and creator—supporting artists, small businesses, nonprofits, and creative teams through brand strategy, communications planning, narrative development, web support, and creative collaborations.

Her work is deeply shaped by the Pacific Northwest. A lifelong nature advocate and mycology enthusiast, Alexandra aligns both her work and personal life around spending as much time outdoors as possible—backpacking, foraging, volunteering on trail crews, and creating photography in nature. Her work was featured in the Spring 2025 Pacific Crest Trail Communicator magazine, highlighting her mushroom photography and experiences working in backcountry environments. She also volunteers in wilderness restoration, is a Leave No Trace ambassador and certified sawyer, serves as Communications Director for the AMA PDX Board of Directors, and runs her own creative business consulting as a freelance artist and marketing specialist. When she’s not supporting Final Switchback behind the scenes with fulfillment, marketing strategy, and day-to-day operations, Alexandra can likely be found out on a trail or immersed in creative projects— often running around in the mountains with a flowy dress and tripod in hand.

Inspired by nature, storytelling, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, Alexandra seeks to create work that truly inspires its audience, whether through marketing consulting, her art, or her ongoing involvement in nature conservation. She is also a strong advocate for strengthening protections for Pacific Northwest old-growth forests. Alexandra brings a mix of thoughtful organization, attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and a touch of whimsy to everything she does. (Check out Alexandra's photography prints, directly supporting nature, here!) Alongside her dedication to building authentic community and increasing outdoor connection and accessibility, she is passionate about helping people and organizations tell their stories with clarity and purpose, creating work that not only brings joy, but also resonates, feels connected, and gives back.