Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I grew up in Mendham and am a proud graduate of Mendham High School. I left for several years but returned here in 1997 with my husband, Patrick, to raise our children.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
Kyle (25) and Julia (20)
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I was once a card-carrying member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I was a producer at an NBC news station in Providence, RI, and it was a union shop.
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
I used to joke that I judged my success as a parent by how many times my kids were left stranded in a parking lot after soccer or some other activity (twice). But both of those times, friends hung out and waited with my child until I arrived. You’re never alone as a parent in Mendham and that’s just the best feeling in the world! I have a great squad of friends, most of whom I got close with through what is now the West Morris Junior Woman’s Club. My mother also lives in town and is a huge help to us, even now that the kids are out of the house.
Favorite things to do with your kids?
We do a lot of New York theatre. And we like to hike in Brookside at the Dismal Harmony area or we can pick up Patriot’s Path right here in our neighborhood. Our 12-year-old lab loves that, too! We also enjoy spending time at Mendham Golf and Tennis – the kids and Patrick will play golf and we’ll have dinner on the beautiful patio there, the views are stunning and never get old. He likes to go over at dusk and hit a few holes. If I’m home from work in time, I’ll join him and walk the course.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I’m the vice president of author podcasts for Macmillan Publishers in New York. I’ve worked in digital media my entire career and I love working with authors who can use podcasts to support their books and build their platforms. We have popular shows on everything from relationships and nutrition to history and grammar.
I’ve also enjoyed serving our community. I was co-president of the Fencing Parents Association at the high school and ran the children’s liturgy program at St. Joseph’s. I was also on the library board for a few years. I went back to the library to run an evening program on podcasts not long ago. I love sharing this emerging medium with our community. Patrick has been a member of the Pastime Club for over 20 years and spent many years on the Little League board.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
For me it’s all about the relationships. I’m still incredibly close with dozens of my Mendham classmates and we get together frequently, many of them are still in the area. These are lifelong friends and we’re always there to support each other. I also love that fact that I can live here but work in New York. We’re so fortunate to have access to all the amazing experiences the city offers us.
And this is more about the kids…but I also have to say having the IB program at Mendham High School is an incredible gift. Both Kyle and Julia did it and were exceptionally well prepared for college. Fewer than 20 high schools in New Jersey offer this rigorous program.
You can follow along with Kathy on social media and if you see her around town, be sure to say hi!
