MEET KATIE
A 7x award-winning humanitarian, recognized alongside the Dalai Lama, and a visionary founder, she has raised millions to transform lives through her children’s charities, inspiring over 70,000 volunteer hours to further her mission. Born into adversity and adopted after being abandoned at birth, her journey of resilience and purpose exemplifies heart-centered leadership, aligning actions with impact, and turning challenges into transformative growth.
MEET KATIE
A 7x award-winning humanitarian, recognized alongside the Dalai Lama, and a visionary founder, she has raised millions to transform lives through her children’s charities, inspiring over 70,000 volunteer hours to further her mission. Born into adversity and adopted after being abandoned at birth, her journey of resilience and purpose exemplifies heart-centered leadership, aligning actions with impact, and turning challenges into transformative growth.
About Katie
An engaging storyteller, Katie captivates audiences with humorous and thought-provoking anecdotes from her incredible experiences—like walking pumas through the Bolivian jungles, leading teams in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes, encountering E. Coli in remote Asian villages, and dismantling child trafficking rings.
As an inspirational speaker, she transforms her life stories into powerful metaphors, inspiring audiences to reflect, take action, and embrace their own journeys.
As an inspirational speaker, she transforms her life stories into powerful metaphors, inspiring audiences to reflect, take action, and embrace their own journeys.
Early Years
Katie’s journey began in the shadow of childhood trauma. At six days old, her birth mother, battling severe mental health struggles, abandoned her in an office building.
Her life changed when she was adopted by a loving family from a significant Chicago architectural legacy. Surrounded by support and opportunities, Katie was encouraged to believe in her limitless potential.
At 20, Katie faced another life-altering moment: witnessing her birth mother’s passing from multiple sclerosis, which left her wheelchair-bound. The experience forced Katie to confront her mortality, reflect on her privileges, and question her own legacy.
It ignited a drive to explore the world, address areas of need, and create lasting change. Fueled by this purpose, she committed herself to building a more beautiful and compassionate future for generations to come.
Her life changed when she was adopted by a loving family from a significant Chicago architectural legacy. Surrounded by support and opportunities, Katie was encouraged to believe in her limitless potential.
At 20, Katie faced another life-altering moment: witnessing her birth mother’s passing from multiple sclerosis, which left her wheelchair-bound. The experience forced Katie to confront her mortality, reflect on her privileges, and question her own legacy.
It ignited a drive to explore the world, address areas of need, and create lasting change. Fueled by this purpose, she committed herself to building a more beautiful and compassionate future for generations to come.
Growing Up
Growing up in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, she developed a deep fascination with storytelling, drawn to its power to inspire, connect, and reveal life’s unseen layers. This passion laid the foundation for her journey as a master story-weaver, crafting narratives that challenge perspectives and motivate action.
Her academic path led to a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a Master’s in Education (M.Ed). Teaching in Vietnam, Scotland, and Colorado, she witnessed how education can transform lives and foster a deeper sense of purpose.
Now based in Breckenridge, Colorado, she channels her adventurous spirit into snowboarding, sailing, and hosting fundraising galas, all while shaping the stories behind her impactful keynotes and forthcoming book.
Her academic path led to a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a Master’s in Education (M.Ed). Teaching in Vietnam, Scotland, and Colorado, she witnessed how education can transform lives and foster a deeper sense of purpose.
Now based in Breckenridge, Colorado, she channels her adventurous spirit into snowboarding, sailing, and hosting fundraising galas, all while shaping the stories behind her impactful keynotes and forthcoming book.
award-Winning Charity
In 2011, Katie founded Compass Rose International (formerly Global Orphan Prevention), a nonprofit globally recognized for empowering young women to overcome challenges like child trafficking and mental health by providing tools for resilience, confidence, and independence. Her work has centered on orphan prevention, sustainable development, and addressing the root causes of child trafficking in Nepal and India, particularly in remote Himalayan villages through her INpowerment Centers.
The organization has received widespread acclaim for its social impact and awareness campaigns, including two Silver Awards at the 2021 Anthem Awards and both a Gold and a Silver in the 2022 Telly Awards, and holds the Guidestar Platinum Level Seal of Transparency.
The organization has received widespread acclaim for its social impact and awareness campaigns, including two Silver Awards at the 2021 Anthem Awards and both a Gold and a Silver in the 2022 Telly Awards, and holds the Guidestar Platinum Level Seal of Transparency.
Award-Winning Humanitarian.
Katie’s remarkable contributions to social impact earned her the Silver for Humanitarian Leader of the Year at the Anthem Awards, placing her among global changemakers such as the Dalai Lama, Jane Goodall, NASA, Charity:Water, and Pulitzer. Additional honors include Millennial Changemaker of the Year (2016) and Young Alumni of the Year (2020) from CMU.
Her humanitarian journey began in Breckenridge, Colorado in 2006, where she worked at a coffee shop and saved every tip for a year to fund her first project. With those savings, she purchased educational supplies and books for an orphanage in Uganda, igniting a lifelong dedication to transformative change.
Her humanitarian journey began in Breckenridge, Colorado in 2006, where she worked at a coffee shop and saved every tip for a year to fund her first project. With those savings, she purchased educational supplies and books for an orphanage in Uganda, igniting a lifelong dedication to transformative change.
About Katie
An engaging storyteller, Katie captivates audiences with humorous and thought-provoking anecdotes from her incredible experiences—like walking pumas through the Bolivian jungles, leading teams in the aftermath of the Nepal earthquakes, encountering E. Coli in remote Asian villages, and dismantling child trafficking rings.
As an inspirational speaker, she transforms her life stories into powerful metaphors, inspiring audiences to reflect, take action, and embrace their own journeys.
As an inspirational speaker, she transforms her life stories into powerful metaphors, inspiring audiences to reflect, take action, and embrace their own journeys.
Early Years
Katie’s journey began in the shadow of childhood trauma. At six days old, her birth mother, battling severe mental health struggles, abandoned her in an office building.
Her life changed when she was adopted by a loving family from a significant Chicago architectural legacy. Surrounded by support and opportunities, Katie was encouraged to believe in her limitless potential.
At 20, Katie faced another life-altering moment: witnessing her birth mother’s passing from multiple sclerosis, which left her wheelchair-bound. The experience forced Katie to confront her mortality, reflect on her privileges, and question her own legacy.
It ignited a drive to explore the world, address areas of need, and create lasting change. Fueled by this purpose, she committed herself to building a more beautiful and compassionate future for generations to come.
Her life changed when she was adopted by a loving family from a significant Chicago architectural legacy. Surrounded by support and opportunities, Katie was encouraged to believe in her limitless potential.
At 20, Katie faced another life-altering moment: witnessing her birth mother’s passing from multiple sclerosis, which left her wheelchair-bound. The experience forced Katie to confront her mortality, reflect on her privileges, and question her own legacy.
It ignited a drive to explore the world, address areas of need, and create lasting change. Fueled by this purpose, she committed herself to building a more beautiful and compassionate future for generations to come.
Growing Up
Growing up in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, she developed a deep fascination with storytelling, drawn to its power to inspire, connect, and reveal life’s unseen layers. This passion laid the foundation for her journey as a master story-weaver, crafting narratives that challenge perspectives and motivate action.
Her academic path led to a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a Master’s in Education (M.Ed). Teaching in Vietnam, Scotland, and Colorado, she witnessed how education can transform lives and foster a deeper sense of purpose.
Now based in Breckenridge, Colorado, she channels her adventurous spirit into snowboarding, sailing, and hosting fundraising galas, all while shaping the stories behind her impactful keynotes and forthcoming book.
Her academic path led to a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a Master’s in Education (M.Ed). Teaching in Vietnam, Scotland, and Colorado, she witnessed how education can transform lives and foster a deeper sense of purpose.
Now based in Breckenridge, Colorado, she channels her adventurous spirit into snowboarding, sailing, and hosting fundraising galas, all while shaping the stories behind her impactful keynotes and forthcoming book.
award-Winning Charity
In 2011, Katie founded Compass Rose International (formerly Global Orphan Prevention), a nonprofit globally recognized for empowering young women to overcome challenges like child trafficking and mental health by providing tools for resilience, confidence, and independence. Her work has centered on orphan prevention, sustainable development, and addressing the root causes of child trafficking in Nepal and India, particularly in remote Himalayan villages through her INpowerment Centers.
The organization has received widespread acclaim for its social impact and awareness campaigns, including two Silver Awards at the 2021 Anthem Awards and both a Gold and a Silver in the 2022 Telly Awards, and holds the Guidestar Platinum Level Seal of Transparency.
The organization has received widespread acclaim for its social impact and awareness campaigns, including two Silver Awards at the 2021 Anthem Awards and both a Gold and a Silver in the 2022 Telly Awards, and holds the Guidestar Platinum Level Seal of Transparency.
Award-Winning Humanitarian.
Katie’s remarkable contributions to social impact earned her the Silver for Humanitarian Leader of the Year at the Anthem Awards, placing her among global changemakers such as the Dalai Lama, Jane Goodall, NASA, Charity:Water, and Pulitzer. Additional honors include Millennial Changemaker of the Year (2016) and Young Alumni of the Year (2020) from CMU.
Her humanitarian journey began in Breckenridge, Colorado in 2006, where she worked at a coffee shop and saved every tip for a year to fund her first project. With those savings, she purchased educational supplies and books for an orphanage in Uganda, igniting a lifelong dedication to transformative change.
Her humanitarian journey began in Breckenridge, Colorado in 2006, where she worked at a coffee shop and saved every tip for a year to fund her first project. With those savings, she purchased educational supplies and books for an orphanage in Uganda, igniting a lifelong dedication to transformative change.
