Kathryn is an enrolled citizen of the Comanche Nation. Born and raised in Comanche country in southwestern Oklahoma, she earned her BA from Harvard, graduating Magna cum Laude. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School and is a retired member of the Bar Association of Washington DC.
She was the College President of the Institute of American Indian Arts, directed the Indian Resource Development (IRD) program for the State of New Mexico’s colleges and universities, has worked for the Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, directed natural resources for the State of New Mexico as the Deputy Secretary of the Department, served on the Albuquerque Mayor’s Cabinet as Director for Cultural and Recreational Services, represented the University of Phoenix, and was the Executive Director of the Railyard Stewards.
In her retirement, she is the past Chair of the Board of Trustees for Southwestern College, past member of the Board of the Santa Fe Indigenous Center, Past-President of the Rotary del Sur Club, and currently is a on the Native/Community group for the Academy for the Love of Learning, the Santa Fe Council for the Uncertain Human Future, and a National Advisor for Americans for Indian Opportunity.
Kathryn is married to her law school sweetheart, Manuel. She loves teaching and enjoys movies, reading, and gardening.