# Kate Shields

> Kate Groark Shields is the CEO and owner of Vault Communications, a Conshohocken-based marketing communications agency. A Philadelphia native, she joined Vault three days after graduating from the University of Scranton, gained in-house experience at Campbell Soup Company and ARAMARK, and returned as a partner before age 30. Her record combines five consecutive Inc. 5000 appearances for Vault with a people-centered approach to agency leadership and civic service, including chairing The Forum of Executive Women and the Beyond Pearls campaign at Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and owner at Vault Communications
- **Organizations:** Vault Communications, The Forum of Executive Women, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Campbell Soup Company, ARAMARK
- **Education:** B.A. in English/Communication, University of Scranton, M.S. in Public Relations, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, High school diploma, Mount Saint Joseph Academy
- **Known for:** Led Vault Communications through five consecutive Inc. 5000 appearances from 2017 through 2021., Named a 2020 Most Admired CEO by the Philadelphia Business Journal., Helped build a workplace repeatedly recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Business Journal.

## Career timeline

- **1997** — Graduated from the University of Scranton and began at Vault Communications three days later.
- **Late 1990s-early 2000s** — Moved in-house for communications roles at Campbell Soup Company and ARAMARK.
- **Before age 30** — Returned to Vault Communications as a partner before age 30.
- **2005** — Appeared as a vice president of FCF Schmidt Public Relations on a PRSA Philadelphia panel about advertising and PR collaboration.
- **2017-2021** — Led Vault during five consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5000 list.
- **2017-2025** — Served on the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia board.
- **2020** — Named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal's Most Admired CEOs.
- **2023** — Vault was a finalist for PRWeek's Outstanding Agency in the U.S. and again received a Philadelphia Business Journal Best Places to Work designation.
- **2025-present** — Serves as chair of The Forum of Executive Women.
- **Current** — Chairs Beyond Pearls, Mount Saint Joseph Academy's $20 million campus modernization campaign.

## Achievements

- Led Vault Communications through five consecutive Inc. 5000 appearances from 2017 through 2021.
- Named a 2020 Most Admired CEO by the Philadelphia Business Journal.
- Helped build a workplace repeatedly recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Business Journal.
- Chairs the 2026-2027 board of The Forum of Executive Women.
- Chairs the $20 million Beyond Pearls capital campaign for Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
- A Thomas' Breakfast Battle campaign she helped conceptualize and execute generated a reported 61.6 million impressions.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Was announced as one of the University of Scranton's inaugural Communication and Media Hall of Fame honorees; the September event was subsequently postponed.
- **2026-08** — Began a second term as chair of The Forum of Executive Women for its 2026-2027 board year.
- **2026-07** — Shared Vault's work supporting Philadelphia's America 250 storytelling, including a student production of the musical 1776.
- **2025-01** — Published the LinkedIn essay 'A Mentor of One's Own' about mentorship and the influence of Sister Mary Dacey.

## Links

- Website: https://www.vaultcommunications.com/about/team/kate-shields/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kategroarkshields

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/kate-shields
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22