Prior to becoming a Supervisor, Kate was appointed to the County Planning Commission, addressing county-wide land use issues and making policy recommendations to help shape our county's long term economic and environmental health. Kate is proud of the many projects she has supported that address such critical needs as clean drinking water for disadvantaged communities, more affordable housing, employer sponsored farmworker housing, flood control, and coastal resilience projects.

Additionally, Kate worked extensively with retired Supervisor Mary Adams to ensure our community had access to critical county services. She developed expertise on budgeting, land use, water policy, natural resource protection, and led on major initiatives for clean energy, wildfire prevention, and infrastructure.

Kate also worked with State Senator John Laird on water supply, homelessness, and the Big Sur coastline. In this role she helped secure $2.5 million in the state budget for the Shuman HeartHouse, a homeless shelter in Monterey. She also helped bring resolution to a longstanding community controversy around the alignment of the California Coastal Trail through Big Sur. Kate continues to work toward realization of an affordable, sustainable, permanent water supply for the Monterey Peninsula.

In 2019 Kate was recruited to take over as Interim Executive Director of Gathering for Women, a nonprofit serving women experiencing homelessness in Monterey. While the organization was going through a leadership change, Kate helped them remain successful. She assisted in securing $1.3 million in State funding to open the Casa de Noche Buena overnight shelter, the Peninsula's first homeless shelter for single women and families with children. Since opening its doors, approximately 70% percent of shelter guests have exited to transitional or permanent housing. Kate continues to serve in an advisory role for Casa de Noche Buena.

Kate was elected as a County Supervisor in 2024 to serve the residents of District 5.