Trueline Spotlight: A Coming Full Circle
Anyone who’s worked with Trueline’s writers knows we go out of our way to avoid clichés. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule—times when the phrase in question perfectly captures the subject at hand.
So here it is: Karyn Dowty wears a lot of hats.
“I’ve had my hands in just about everything over the years,” says Dowty, Trueline’s director of operations. “Because of that, I’ve really learned about how everything integrates, and how important everyone’s role is.”
When Dowty says “everything,” she means financials, marketing, payroll, human resources, designing, helping launch Trueline’s public-relations arm, and more yet.
Such responsibilities are inevitable when you’ve been part of the Trueline family as long as Dowty has. When CEO Haj Carr decided to jettison the mortgage business to open a new media and marketing company in Bethesda, Maryland, in 2007, Dowty went with him.
For the Sugarloaf, Maine native and University of Southern Maine grad, it didn’t take long for D.C. to feel like home. Living just blocks away from Capitol Hill, Dowty relished exploring the city—both by Metro and by foot.
“I love having a chance to create things that really resonate with people and speak to their mission and goals. That’s the great thing about Trueline: Everyone has the opportunity to dive into something and develop new skill sets. It’s always changing, and I just love being part of that change.”
So when Trueline upped and moved to Portland in 2011, Dowty was hesitant. She agreed to give it one year before heading back to D.C.
Apparently, the universe had other ideas. When Dowty found out she was pregnant with twin boys, she decided to make the move permanent.
“All of this happened around the same time—needless to say life changed quickly,” Dowty says with a laugh. “I realized we couldn’t just leave our support network behind. When you’re having twins, you need some stability.”
Their arrival was certainly fortuitous. Not only were Owen and Cooper born on Dowty’s birthday (February 27); they entered the world within 10 minutes of her exact birth time.
Now seven years old, the sports-loving boys keep Dowty plenty busy, though she still carves out time for her favorite hobbies: snowboarding and skiing, golfing with her dad and being near the water as often as possible.
As for work? Her latest new responsibility is graphic-design, where the onetime art major handles everything from the creation of logos, infographics, signage and more.
To borrow just one more well-worn cliché, it’s a role that’s allowed Dowty to bring both her life and work full circle.
And make her glad she never left.
“I love having a chance to create things that really resonate with people and speak to their mission and goals,” Dowty says. “That’s the great thing about Trueline: Everyone has the opportunity to dive into something and develop new skill sets. It’s always changing, and I just love being part of that change.”
Fun Facts:
Favorite Portland hangout: Anywhere by the water.
Best Trueline Halloween costume you’ve seen: So many good ones, but staffer Ian Nichols dressing as staffer Dave Gushee and staffer Sean O’Reilly as CEO Haj come immediately to mind.
The one song you need to hear after a long day: “Soulshine” by the Allman Brothers.
Best concert you’ve ever been to: Chris Stapleton.
How many pages of tax forms have you filled out: Literally too many to count.
