A grauate of University of Minnesota (B.S. degree in Design 1980), Kathy pursued graduate studies in Ethno-Botany at the University if Wisconsin (1982) before moving to South America on a plant research project.  She is currently a core group member of New Tourism and the Harmony Project, LLC ("NTHP").  (NTHP is implementing a very advanced model of New Tourism, which provides upscale travelers with total immersion in local culture customs, medicine and nutrition.  NTHP has developed resorts in Tanzania and Costa Rica of which have demonstrated the efficacy of it model by training at least modest profits during a severe downturn in travel and leisure spending).  Kathy is also a phyto medicine specialist  and healer for the NTHP.  She has played a significant role in the company's current equity funding program.

A lifelong interest in plants  and their relationship to human well-being has influenced Kathy's career path in many ways.  She is an ethno-botanist, master gardener, licensed nutrionist, shaman and health coach.  Her experiences with plants and herbs have gone from professional gardener to horticulture teacher and they have included a career as a licensed nurseryman, master herbalist, chef and educator.

In  the 1980's, Kathy founded Spring Valley Gardens and Ashbury Herb Farm.  Her cooking school achieved national attention.  Kathy is a charter member of the International Herb Growers and Marketing Association.  Other memberships include The American Herbalist Guild, Slow Food Nation, Bioneers, Panchamama Alliance, the Foundation of Shamans, all located in Marin County California.  Kathy has been featured in cover stories of the professional publications Grower Talks and Horticulture, along with numerous articles in gardening books and magazines.  Kathy's plant-related travels to Asia, Central and South America and Australia are planned to be the focus of a book featuring ancient secrets of healing wisdom taught by the indigenous peoples.