About Natalie

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Natalie Kenny Marquez is a born planner and communicator specializing in helping organizations determine their audience, tell their story, build their brand, and expand their reach. Natalie's background includes over a decade in municipal government outreach and communications, five seasons running Urbana's Market at the Square, and countless hours working with small businesses and start-ups on their marketing plans and strategies.

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Natalie is a double-major in Journalism/Advertising and Political Science from Southern Illinois University and holds a Master of Public Administration, with an emphasis on Public Management, from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

 

Besides owning Grow, Natalie is an Entrepreneur in Residence, a program of the Illinois University Incubator Network. She also is the President of the Illinois Farmers Market Association. In 2016 she was a Forty Under 40 winner, a program of Central Illinois Business Magazine.

 

Outside of work, Natalie is a competitive swimmer with the Heat Masters Team and U.S. Masters Swimming. In 2020 she logged two Top 10 National finishes in her age group: 9th in 100 yard free and 5th in the 1,650 yard free. When not in the water, Natalie enjoys shopping at farmers markets, supporting local businesses, blogging at Family to Table, and spending time with her husband and their two children.