I’ve been named a Super Lawyer by the National Law Journal for multiple years, received awards for my philanthropic and
professional work, am an award winning author of legal thriller Deviant Agendas. I also sit on the Board of a Mutual Fund, and am a
partner at a law firm and co-founder of an international consulting company. I earned my MBA from the University of Chicago Booth
School of Business studying in Singapore, Barcelona and Chicago. I earned my Juris Doctorate with high honors at IIT Chicago Kent
College of Law.
I am on a mission to empower, educate and promote women in the forward movement of their careers and life choices. I have
appeared on domestic and international television, numerous radio shows, and spoke on various topics in Germany, Australia, New
Zealand, Chile and numerous locations throughout the United States. I’ve had the opportunity to give numerous international
presentations regarding topics including risk management, disaster recovery, claim management, bad faith, and insurance recovery.
My most recent trip was to Samoa to teach and exchange arbitration and mediation methods with the Samoans. I gave many
presentations in Australia after cyclones damaged its coastal properties and businesses, and in New Zealand after the earthquakes
that destroyed Christchurch on the South Island. I presented in Germany on risk management, and in Chile after the devastation to
Santiago from a series of earthquakes
The following are a representative sample of her speeches/presentations:
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Founder of Pivot 2 Power: virtual and in-person career-focused promotion,
education and networking of women from around the world.
Visit: Pivot 2 Power
Speaker at Pivot 2 Power virtual events with speakers from around the world
on topics including Entrepreneurs, Marketing and Branding, Career Movement and
Negotiation Techniques for Your Career and Business.
Board, Executive Committee Member and Program Chair
of the charted institute of Arbitrators North American Branch
launching its October webinar series regarding technology and ADR.
"Expert" panel member on the Charted Institute of Arbitrators
North American Branch webinar regarding COVID-19 and insurance
for business interruption.
2020
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Private Agendas published. Second book in KSD’s legal thriller series
The V-Files.
Co-chair, along with the former Ambassador to New Zealand, for the
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators NAB's Capacity Sharing Program
traveling to Samoa to teach and exchange cultural information about
international arbitration and mediation.
Book signing in Denver Colorado.
Speaker in Samoa as Vice-Chair of coalition of US arbitrators lead
by Ambassador Huebner (R) to Samoa for educational and cultural exchange
on arbitration and mediation.
2019
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Deviant Agendas receives a number of awards from Readers’ Favorite.
2017
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Deviant Agendas published. First book in KSD’s legal thriller series
The V-Files.
Speaker at University of Chicago Booth School of Business for Graduate
Women in Business on The Use of Mentors and Communication to Reach Your Goals.
Co-chair of Corporate Council Compliance Forum, Chicago, Illinois.
Three factors to consider for International D&O Underwriting. Three
changes affecting directors and officers and D&O Insurance.
2016
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New Zealand Law Society: Insurance, Reinsurance and Disaster
Recovery.
Australia: Numerous presentations along the Gold Coast regarding
Cyclone damage and insurance recovery from 2012-2014.
2014
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Katherine was a panel speaker in New Zealand with CEO of NZ
Insurance Council discussing issues surrounding seismics in
the city, when a city rises - looking forward, clearing the
decks, designing the future, laying the foundations.
2013
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Germany: Preparing for and responding to disasters caused by
acts of nature, UIA 56th congress, Dresden, Germany.
NZ (New Zealand) television appearance: Discussion of insurance
coverage on business interruption claims for Christchurch
earthquakes. Christchurch, New Zealand.
2012
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Bringing money to the table, construction litigation leaders'
forum. Marina Del Rey, California.
2011
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The 10 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me, published.
A motivational book for women containing advice and funny
stories to motivate through career and life.
Chile: Disaster recovery after the earthquake, Santiago, Chile.
Insurance exposures and strategies for 2010, the 2010 annual
CLM Conference. Ponte Vedra, Florida.
2010
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In Chicago, Illinois Katherine gave a speech at the REBEX
Regional Risk Management Conference titled "Top 10 Critical Risks -
New Regulations and Changing Markets."
2009
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Received Business Insurance Women to WatchAward,
New York, New York.
2008
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Co-Founder of Risk Worldwide International Consulting Group.
At DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, Katherine gave a speech
titled "Strategic Risk Management: Creating and Protecting Value
(Corporate)."
2007
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Named Independent Trustee to Board of Oberweis Asset Management
and continue to serve as Trustee, Chair of Nominating Committee
and Member of Audit Committee.
2005
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MBA received from the University of Chicago Booth School of
Business. Studied in Singapore, Spain and USA. Recognized as top negotiator.
2003
2015 - 2016
Named Super Lawyer by National Law Journal
2011 - 2015
Open Risk Worldwide Asia Pacific office in New
Zealand Offices. Begin four years of travel
between New Zealand, Australia and the US to
launch international business.
2010 - 2013
Named Super Lawyer by National Law Journal
2005 - 2007
Named Super Lawyer by National Law Journal
1997 - 1999
Women With Vision (Law) Award from the
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois for work
mentoring women in their careers.
1996 - 2007
Founded Women for Achievement: President and
Chair of the Board of this 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
dedicated to providing career mentors and
scholarships to high-school women to help them
find their career paths.
1997 - 1999
Mercedes Mentor Award by Mercedes USA,
Chicago Magazine and Chicago Junior Women’s
League for work mentoring women
in their careers.
