Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, Kathy came to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University and never left.  She has a Bachelor of Science degree from FSU with a major in psychology and a minor in habilitative sciences.  In 2005, she obtained a Master’s in Public Health from the University of South Florida.  She spent 35 years working for the State of Florida administering programs serving children and adults with developmental disabilities and working in health promotion and disease prevention in the Florida Department of Health.  For five years, she was the administrator of the State’s program responsible for federal designation of health professional shortage areas in Florida.

After her retirement, Kathy became active in the League of Women Voters of Tallahassee serving on the Board as Secretary, Vice-president and President.  She has been active in the League’s lobbying efforts and currently serves as the chair of the State Healthcare Action Team for the League of Women Voters of Florida.