I was a corporate soldier in a male dominated industry.



My cooperate career began in El Paso, TX where I was a systems engineer with IBM. Surrounded by make role models, I began to assimilate by taking on male behaviors, wearing the pin-stripe suits and pumps and being the team player. I spent most of my days with the fear of failing. Not the best way to grow a career. Although successful, the long hours and extensive travel began to drain my energy. I had no life outside of corporate. I missed family events and felt lonely. I began to lose myself in the drive to be the success that was expected of a corporate soldier. You know, work your butt for fie years and then move into management. I learned I had to define success for myself. What a relief that was to create success my way.

I was forced to pause, reassess and reset.

In 1996, my life changed in an instant when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It became very clear that there was an imbalance in my life. I became aware I was living for everyone else's priorities and not mine. No only that, I was scared to death and of death. My discovery that breast cancer is connected to "over-giving" caused me to reassess my priorities, create boundaries and take responsibility for my healing first and foremost. I made the decision I was going to heal myself. Cancer was my catalyst for becoming a subject matter expert on alternative medicine and energy medicine, which I still practice. Today, I am a cancer thriver of over 25 years. I have a morning routine that grounds me, energizes me and fives me focus. A gift I gave myself on my way to healing. I decided that cancer was not going to define my life. It was just part of my journey.

I was nudged to pivot.

After 22 years of service, I was laid off by IBM. My belief of working for one company my entire life was shattered. I was afraid to step out of this so-called safety net. I had to remind myself that this event had nothing to do with my self-worth. Otherwise the "I'm not enough" monster would take over. Believe me, I cried from the disbelief that this happened to me. I found a new career at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and vowed that I would have a plan "b" when it came to my financial freedom. I became a certified coach and began coaching women engineers part-time, until I was ready to make the leap. I continued helping my husband Don, manage a 200-acre exotic animal ranch. Sometimes in life push comes to shove.

I was unexpectedly asked to let go of the life I knew.

in 2011, my husband, Don, passed away. Don and I had been married for 23 years. I was so heart-broken. I didn't feel I was ever going to be happy again. In the midst of grieving, I took on management o the 200-acre ranch, worked for corporate and asked myself daily "where do I go from here?" My coaching practice was put on the back burner for a short time until I had the time and energy to work this business. I sold the ranch. I Lost my home. I lost my husband. I became a widow. I discovered the power of letting go at multiple levels. Really? Did I have to learn this all at the same time!

I began to rewire my life.

In 2016 I retired from from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and went into business in the real estate industry, while expanding my coaching practice to include mentoring women entrepreneurs. I expanded my business to include speaking, writing and training. I made a decision to package all my experience and talents into making a difference with women. Going from an individual contributor to a full-time CEO is a major mindset shift. OMG! I knew I couldn't do this on my own. I created a community and hired coaches. Because, you and I know how challenging it can be to grow a business alone and how lonely it can be. Every day I ask myself "how easy can I let it be and who can help me make it happen?"

I am a three-time Amazon best-seller of Katherine's Quest: One Woman's Journey to Elation, The Gift of the Universe through Women who Lead and Network Marketing 2.0 Revealed. 

I continue to assist women entrepreneurs grow their business, create balance, peace and harmony in their lives and experience more satisfaction in their life and business.

I found love again. I just had to give myself a chance. I am happily married to Mitch Kraker.

Bring JOY Back Into Your Life