Life at Walnut Capital: Kate Batko-Affolder | Walnut Capital
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Life at Walnut Capital: Kate Batko-Affolder

Kate’s adventure with Walnut Capital started six years ago, thanks to a job posting from a friend at Bakery Square and a casual scroll through Facebook.


Little did she know she would eventually become the Property Coordinator; sometimes, fate has a sneaky way of revealing its plans for us.

A true Pittsburgher, Kate is a proud McCandless resident with a heart full of yinzer spirit.“I might not sound like it, but I can put it on!"

Before landing at Walnut Capital, Kate wore many hats in the customer service world. She kicked off her career at Fun For All at just 15, where she learned the ropes of hard work. She went on to juggling coffee shop management, being a dance instructor, and waitressing at Mote Cello's. She even took on the role of tour guide on those iconic double-decker buses, showcasing the ins and outs of Pittsburgh to locals and visitors alike—if you ever need a local tour guide, she’s your gal! A detour to South Florida for bartending took her away from the Steel City for a bit, but her heart always knew she needed to come back home.

Kate started her journey at Bakery Square in a part-time position (alongside her mom who worked with us for 6 months prior), balancing her real estate license and full-time pet-sitting gig. Gradually, she transitioned into a full-time role at the front desk, where she witnessed Bakery Square evolve into the vibrant hub it is today. After proving her success with our company, she became the main communication hub for tenants as the Property Coordinator, managing everything from maintenance requests to the occasional drama (because let’s face it, life would be dull without a little excitement!).

Since stepping into this position, her responsibilities have multiplied. She’s now hiring and training newbies, which comes with its fair share of learning curves. And let’s not forget the stylish uniforms she gets to rock while managing her team! With the addition of a marketing team to handle tenant events, Kate can focus on what she loves most: building relationships and ensuring tenants feel right at home.

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A typical day for Kate is anything but boring. As the friendly face at the front desk, she juggles everything from package allocations to work orders and maintenance scheduling. “Communication is key!” she often reminds her team.

The best part about her role?

 

I genuinely enjoy my job, there’s nothing I don’t like.

...except when she has to deal with a fishing situation in the pond in front of our offices, or when kids decide it’s a good idea to skate on the frozen water. You've got to admire their spirit!

One of Kate’s favorite memories is the spooky event they hosted in a vacant building at Bakery Square. She had a blast helping to bring it all to life, and it was a great time for everyone who came! It’s moments like these that remind her why she loves what she does.

In her free time, Kate’s repertoire includes classical ballet, tap, and she's even an acomplished choreographer. She’s been twirling through life since she was just two weeks old—yes, two weeks! Her theater-enthusiast parents introduced her to the magic of the stage, and she hasn’t looked back since. Over the years, she has danced and taught at various studios while diving into the world of musical theater, which she continues to embrace today.

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As Kate looks to the future, she's excited to keep growing within the company. With a blend of stage magic and a genuine love for her community, Kate is not just a supervisor and coordinator, she's a key player in the Walnut Capital family, ensuring that every tenant feels right at home. So, ff you ever find yourself at Bakery Square, be sure to swing by the front desk—you might catch her sharing a story or showing off some dance moves!