A sneak peek into the Harborbridge origin story
Here’s a little scoop that few of you may know: Anna and I aren’t just business partners, we are actually sisters. While Harborbridge officially started as a company in 2021, our origins came long before that date, in fact, you could say it is part of our DNA.
The idea of us teaming up to lead a Human Resources Solutions firm might not have been our original game plan, but in retrospect, it feels like a natural progression.
Our family background and values, combined with our professional experiences, seamlessly shape Harborbridge's perspective, services and vision. This unique blend has been instrumental in guiding us through the organizational growth and challenges that many startups face. Here’s a deeper look into what makes Harborbridge what it is today:
Katie and Anna today. Founders, business partners, sisters.
Name Origin
Harborbridge is more than a name, it is a narrative that is both simple and layered with meaning. We grew up in a town called Gig Harbor, known for the famous Narrows Bridge. Combine the two, and you get "Harborbridge." Seems a bit trite or obvious, but there’s more to it. The name reflects our philosophy surrounding organizational culture.
We believe that a people-centric organization needs to be a safe space, a “harbor,” where employees can be authentic, feel a sense of belonging and safe to take risks and make mistakes.
Additionally, at Harborbridge we are people partners, helping organizations build a “bridge” between their business success and their people’s well-being, growth and engagement so both the organization and its employees can thrive together.
Family History and Shared Values
Our family tree is deeply rooted in education and entrepreneurship. Our family is full of teachers — our mom as a choral music instructor, our dad as a former band director and many more educators within our extended family. Over 30 years ago, our mom founded a children’s community chorus, which is still going strong and has been a source of inspiration for thousands of young people, including us, her daughters.
Our mom stands out to us as a female entrepreneur who pursued her dreams with passion and perseverance to create a thriving organization.
Shortly after founding the choir, I remember walking with her in downtown Tacoma. She pointed at the Rialto concert hall’s marque, and said, “Someday we will perform here, and our name will be on that sign.” True to her word, not only has her choir performed there multiple times, but they have also showcased their talents in premier European venues, and her personal achievements extend from being a nationally recognized composer to conducting at Carnegie Hall and festivals all over the world.
Her journey has been a powerful inspiration to us, embedding the belief that with vision and determination, achieving entrepreneurial success is within our reach.
Mom (aka Judy Herrington) with her choir, the Tacoma Youth Chorus, circa 1998.
Then there’s Grandpa George, who rose from humble beginnings in a small mining town to become an entrepreneur by identifying unique needs and creating his own opportunities. Our favorite of his business ventures was how he charged sheep farmers for shoveling manure, then cleverly repurposed and sold it as fertilizer to crop farmers. This ingenious strategy helped him survive the Great Depression and marked the beginning of his ascent as a successful businessman. This remarkable entrepreneurial journey is a family story of resilience and innovation that has left a lasting impression on us.
These histories have deeply shaped our core values at Harborbridge — Meaningful Work, Growth, Excellence, Healthy Productivity and Authenticity. These are not just words; they are the principles that guide every decision we make.
Grandpa George in the Spokane Valley, circa 1960.
Diverse Professional Backgrounds
Our professional journeys add another layer to the Harborbridge identity as partners in human resources and organizational development.
My professional background encompasses founding and running a design and marketing business and later transitioning into leadership and executive coaching, and Anna’s career spans over 15 years in large-scale management within the corporate retail space. This combination of firsthand business ownership and managing large regional teams provides us with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and employee needs.
Influenced by our professional experience, at Harborbridge we’re not just about theory; we offer strategic, comprehensive and, most importantly, practical solutions to understand and support organizations face and overcome complex challenges.
This philosophy of combining strategic insight with practical action defines our approach and sets us apart as a human resources solutions partner.
Bridging our Past to our Future
Harborbridge is more than just a business; it's the culmination of our family history and professional paths coming together to create something truly unique. Our goal is to bring this blend of experience and values to other organizations, helping them navigate their paths to growth and success.
Despite typical sibling antics — her, ignoring the pesky little sister around her cool friends, and me, swiping clothes and lipgloss from her bedroom, hiding them in my backpack and changing when I got to school (sorry Anna, yes, that halter top stain was me) — our sisterly bond has fostered an unwavering commitment to our clients, our business and each other.
At our childhood home in Gig Harbor, Washington. Fun fact: our dad and grandpa George built the house themselves.
Us with my favorite blanket and Anna’s favorite stuffed toy, “Bear Bear”.
Long Beach, Washington. Nothing says “Spring Break in Washington” like hats and windbreakers.