Katie Gagel spent most of her youth and young adult life being skeptical of marriage and if it was “for her.” A self-proclaimed late bloomer, she began dating at 30 years old and began navigating the deep roots of relationships, dating, marriage, and divorce. This began her journey of discovery, reflection, and confrontation of worthiness that had always been woven and threaded into her DNA as an adoptee. Katie will share her experiences of navigating marriage, divorce, and post-divorce life while holding on to her Self, worthiness, and support systems.

Katie was born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted to Louisville, KY. She is a project manager for a marketing agency and a lived-experience speaker on mental health, adoption, and diabetes. She is an active member of the online adoptee community, where she has led a weekly virtual support group for adoptees, an online adoptee book club, and shares her lived experience through vignette writing on Instagram. She is the founder of Asian Adoptees of Louisville and focuses on supporting adoptees and their work in the community.