Staff
Your Clay County team working to strengthen the relationships between our vibrant businesses and the citizens of Clay County as a whole. We work on behalf of our community businesses and organizations to promote ever-growing strength and unity.
Natalie Muruato
Executive Director
Natalie Muruato is a rural leader by choice and entrepreneur at heart. She comes to Kansas from South Dakota, where she was dual-executive director over the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Group in a small community bordering the Missouri River. Natalie obtained her Basic Economic Development Certification in 2021. Prior, she was City Administrator for the City of Belfield, a small town in the Bakken Oil Fields of North Dakota.
In 2017, Natalie graduated from the NDSU Rural Leadership program, setting out to make a difference in the communities she lived and worked. Later that year, Natalie was awarded the ND League of Cities Leadership Excellence Award.
In 2004, Natalie moved to rural North Dakota from Las Vegas, Nevada. She and her husband owned several small businesses in North Dakota, including a restaurant, bowling alley, and construction company. Natalie attended Utah Valley University, Southern Nevada College, and Dickinson State University. She is a Business and Professional Women of Clay Center member and serves on the Clay Center Housing Authority board.
Natalie believes it is her responsibility to leave the world a little better because she was there and enjoys helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams of starting a business.
Taylor Mall
Marketing & Event Coordinator
Taylor Mall is the Marketing and Event Coordinator for Grow Clay County. She graduated from Clay Center Community High School in 2017 and went on to graduate from Cloud County Community College in 2019 with a degree in General Business Management. Taylor decided to move back to her hometown in 2021 when she was offered a position with the Clay Center Area Chamber of Commerce. She has worked to plan and market community events, as well as market Clay County to travelers and tourists. She currently serves on the Community Outreach Committee and the Explore Clay County Advisory Board and continually strives to improve and promote our beautiful community.
Kathryn Doster
Office Administrator & Navigator
Kathryn Doster is the Office Administrator and an Insurance Navigator for Grow Clay County. She graduated from CCCHS in 2019 and went on to graduate from Kansas State University in 2023 earning a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences. Kathryn and her fiancé, Deven, welcomed their first child, Colton James, in 2023. Kathryn enjoys spending time with her family and taking their fur babies on walks at the walking trails. She is excited to work for Grow Clay County and to watch this community GROW into its true beautiful self.
Sharon Evans
Finance Manager
Sharon Evans is the financial fairy of Grow Clay County and keeps the staff on their toes. She joined the team after 43 years in the accounting department at Hutchinson/Mayrath and did a short accounting stent with the Clay Center Family Physicians in 1991. Sharon and her husband, Ed, raised two beautiful children, Jared and Bethany, and have five grandchildren, Jasmyn, Jake, Aaron, Jillian, and Lane.
Sharon enjoys flower gardening, reading, and family traditions. She is her grandchildren's biggest cheerleader in their favorite sports.
Tracy Myers
Navigator
Tracy is the Marketplace Insurance Navigator here at our Grow office. She offers FREE assistance to individuals and families that are in need of affordable health coverage that fit their needs.
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Tracy grew up in Wakefield, KS. She has held positions previously as an Accounting Assistant for Via Christie Hospital, as a Purchasing Agent for Hutchinson Mayrath, and as a Ford Waranty Clerk at Glavan Ford.
Tracy and her husband Milke have 4 children: Matt, Adam, Caitlee, and Jackson; Along with her 4 children, she has 6 grandchildren. Tracy enjoys reading mysteries, gardening, spending quality time with her children, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Susie Swanson
Rural Champion
Susie was born in Shawnee, Kansas in 1948. After completing high school, she attended Emporia State University and received a Masters in Social Work from the University of Kansas.
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Susie was employed by the Twin Lakes Educational Cooperative as a school social worker for 26 years. In addition, she worked as a social worker for the Clay County Health Department with the Maternal and Infant Program. She was employed by Presbyterian Manor as a social work consultant for 11 years. Her passion for public service led her to represent Clay County in the State Legislature for two terms. Susie retired in 2018.
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Community involvement included serving on the Clay County Child Care Board, Clay County Arts Council, and the 21st Judicial District Joint Corrections Advisory Board.
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Susie and her husband Vern have lived in Clay Center for 43 years where they raised their two children. They have seven grandchildren. They also served as foster parents. Since retiring, the Swansons have enjoyed traveling and Susie enjoys camping (Vern not so much!).
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