Kathryn obtained her bachelor of science degree in nursing at San Francisco State University in 1977. Certified in public health, and a prior coronary care nurse,she became interested in midwifery during the pregnancy and home birth of her first son. Inspired by her own empowering and gentlebirth,she started teaching childbirth preparation classes, provided labor support, and worked for several years as a clinical nurse specialist at a local hospital's perinatal unit. She also worked in a community birth center, and has volunteered her services for charitable organizations here and in India.

 She graduated from the University of San Francisco's Certified Nurse Midwifery program in 1986 and has been providing maternity care services and home site birth assistance to families since. She is the mother of two adult sons, lives in Burlingame with her husband.