Reared in the Coachella Valley, Kathleen understands why so many are drawn here and the importance of planning thoughtfully for change.

Kathleen and her brother with a catch of Corvina from the Salton Sea. (She caught the big ones on the ends!)

Kathleen spent her formative years in Palm Springs, when it was still very much a village, and enjoyed the year-round outdoor life our climate affords. She appreciates the importance of safeguarding our fragile desert, including protection of our hillsides and preservation of open space.

She understands how vital air quality is, given the high winds inherent to our climate. This guides her work in regional planning, taking extra initiatives to combat the silt Tropical Storm Hilary exposed.

Educated at Yale (B.A.) and U.C. Berkeley (J.D.), Kathleen settled in Northern California, becoming a "regular" in Palm Desert in 1978, where her family purchased a home on Fairway Drive and she began enjoying Shadow Mountain Golf Course. While north, Kathleen practiced employment law, was a law school professor and Academic Dean (McGeorge School of Law), and served for 30 years as an arbitrator, mediator and special master, resolving all forms of conflict.

With our former County Supervisor Corky Larson in 2003

Kathleen's work as a pastor has emphasized children's programs.

Kathleen has been an ordained minister in the Episcopal Church for the last 19 years. Kathleen's achievements in conflict resolution include: • Resolved a major dispute between the mobility-impaired and the sight-impaired about sidewalks• Resolved a major dispute between a provider of 800 free meals per day and surrounding businesses• Co-founded a neighborhood mediation center training residents to address conflicts

Kathleen purchased her current South Palm Desert home in 1999 (which she shares with her mother), and has been an active member of the community since then. Her SERVICE has included working with neighbors to save Shadow Mountain Golf Course and leadership of St. Margaret's Church during a challenging transition. For several years, she has been caregiver to her mother Mary Helen (age 99).

Celebrating Mary Helen's 99th birthday at Casuelas Cafe with Ray Rodriguez, Jr.

With Mary Helen at LifeStream Gala in December, 2023