About Kateri

I was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. I grew up in a loving home with just my mom, dad and the dog. In the Midwest, you’re taught to work hard at everything and everyone in your life.

I first visited Los Angeles in 2008 and fell in love. I decided that I would one day become a Californian. In August 2010, one month after turning 30, I finally made the big move and I have been livin’ the dream ever since. It’s been a journey that I cherish daily. I have had the opportunity to live in the Los Angeles (current location), Orange County and the Ventura County areas since living here, each having unique things to offer.

I am an award-winning journalist, I started my career when I was 9. I have a background in TV, radio, digital and print news, technical writing, public relations, social media, marketing, graphics, and event planning and execution. I love my career and all of the creative aspects it has to offer. I can’t picture myself doing anything else. You can always check out my LinkedIn page to see what publications I have written for or to network! I also graduated with an M.A. in Communication from Arizona State University in 2022, something I am very proud of!

When I’m not shufflin’ everything, in my spare time I like to write, volunteer, go wine/beer tasting, attend live concerts, try new restaurants, travel, shop (what girl doesn’t?!) and spend time with friends and family. I’m pretty simple!

15 Unique Things To Know About Me

1. I was a state champion in piano when I was 13-years-old.

2. I lettered in wrestling in high school – I was the videographer.

3. I make a mean Chocolate Chip Cookie.

4. My first published piece was when I was 7-years-old in a “Precious Moments” newsletter.

5. I didn’t really learn to cook until I was 35-years-old.

6. I love to drive. I feel so free when I do it.

7. I have a huge porcelain doll collection.

8. I love cottage cheese and applesauce. Trust me, it tastes good!

9. I love poodles.

10. I’ve been in a hot air balloon.

11. Wintertime is my favorite season in SoCal. I still like throwing on a cozy sweater!

12. My favorite concert I have ever been to would have to be Stevie Wonder. I have seen him 3 times!

13. I’ve covered about 60% of my lifetime travel bucket list. I think it’s more important to have experiences than have material possessions in life.

14. Destinations outside and within the SoCal area that I have traveled to include:

  • Hawaii (Maui and Kauai)
  • Washington State (Seattle, Olympic, North Cascades and Mount Rainier National Parks, Eastern Washington/Walla Walla)
  • California Central Coast (Santa Barbara, Monterey, Big Sur and Santa Cruz)
  • Northern California (Napa, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Redwoods, Lassen/Mt. Shasta/Redding and Lake Tahoe)
  • California Central Valley (Sacramento, Yosemite and Sequoias)
  • Southern California (Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs, Death Valley, Channel Islands, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Julian, Salton Sea)
  • All over Florida except the Keys
  • Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)
  • Ohio (Cleveland)
  • Georgia (Savannah, St. Mary’s)
  • South Carolina (Charleston)
  • Utah (Park City, Zion, Bryce Canyon)
  • Nevada (Las Vegas, Pahrump, Reno and Hoover Dam)
  • Arizona (Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend, Sedona, Phoenix and Flagstaff)
  • Wyoming (Devil’s Tower, Grand Teton and Yellowstone)
  • Montana (Big Sky and Bozeman)
  • North Dakota (Fargo and Devil’s Lake)
  • South Dakota (Mount Rushmore and Sturgis)
  • Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul, Duluth, Red Wing, Rochester)
  • Wisconsin (Madison, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells, Hudson)
  • Illinois (Chicago)
  • Indiana (Gary and Notre Dame)
  • Louisiana (New Orleans)
  • New York City
  • Oregon (Portland, Bend, Redmond, the Coast and Crater Lake)
  • Colorado (Denver, Aspen, Vail, Leadville, Glenwood Springs, Frisco, Breckenridge)
  • Idaho (Idaho Falls)
  • New Mexico (Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos)
  • New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont)
  • Ireland (Dublin and Cork)
  • Scotland (Edinburgh and Highlands)
  • Iceland
  • Canada (Ontario, Vancouver, Calgary and Banff)
  • France (Paris and Reims)
  • England (London and Liverpool)
  • Mexico (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo and Mazatlan).

15. Places I really want to visit are:

  • Key West
  • Anchorage/Denali National Park
  • Southern New Mexico
  • Upstate New York
  • Big Island
  • Great Smoky Mountains
  • Washington D.C.
  • Dubai
  • Eastern Europe: Zurich, Geneva, Salzburg, Krakow, Munich
  • Greece: Santorini, Mykonos, Athens
  • Turkey: Cappadocia
  • Lapland/Helsinki
  • All over Italy
  • Australia
  • New Zealand