About Kat

Kentucky Connection

Both raised in California's Central Valley, my partner and I decided to raise our children in Kentucky. We've happily been here for more than fifteen years; the last eight in Lexington. Our oldest graduated from the STEAM Academy, where he met his now-wife, before obtaining his BA in Finance, BS in Accounting, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. Our middle child graduated from Tates Creek and has one semester left at Bluegrass Community & Technical College in the Industrial Maintenance Technology program. Our youngest will graduate high school from the Virtual Academy next year, taking only classes at BCTC for his senior year. 

Kentucky has been good to our family, providing opportunities and experiences we may not have had back home. Lexington's diversity, city-like atmosphere without being too big a city, and wonderful opportunities to be in nature without a long drive have really made us feel at home. The learning opportunities through the UK Extension and LFUCG's Parks and Rec, ever-expanding culinary choices, and Scarefest keep us around.

One opportunity Kentucky has blessed us with has been career growth for my partner. That growth came with quite a bit of moving. Starting over in new places with three children several times and having the ability to stay home with them until we settled into each place was helpful in providing stability for the family. The combination of raising a family without being in close proximity to extended family really allowed for my personal growth and resourcefulness to bloom. 

Master of None

Being raised by a strong, independent mother, I learned how to be on my own, that life isn't fair, mistakes can often be turned into flowers, and to always put myself in the other person's shoes.  My best friend in life, my grandmother, was an active, spitfire woman who taught me there is no family when playing cards, how to sew, to be self-reliant, and how to be assertive when necessary. My grandfather taught me to work hard, be involved in extra-curriculars, and find ways to give back to your community. My uncle taught me to drive, not to scare yourself into an illness you don’t have, that labels aren’t everything, and that you never know what’s on the other side of the hill. My godmother exemplifies the power of staying positive, teaching me to stay adventurous, that French fries are for the drive home, and to make sure you learn something every day. I try to be just like her.

Having worked in both customer service and management at video stores, clothing, and online retail, as well as having administrative positions, public service, childcare, technical support, non-medical senior care, sales, hotel concierge, pizza delivery, photography, and leasing all on my resume, I have learned from an incredible variety of humans while gaining knowledge about a great deal of things. Though our children are first-generation college graduates, I did obtain a vocational certificate in Massage Therapy and have taken enough college classes that I could have a degree. As a parent, I have read enough medical research that several doctors thought I must also be "in the field.” I am not. I just wanted to understand. I know enough to work in a birthing suite, a funeral home, and most anywhere in between. Before I begin any “trade,” I truly put in the work to be sure I have more than enough knowledge to do it well.