Katie

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I’m Katie Kieffer and this is the editorial blog where I’ll share my ideas and research. I plan to focus on issues that impact the decisions of young Americans. I think open-minded conservatives, liberals and moderates will find this site to be a place where great conversations begin.

Enjoy!

Biography

Education

Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy.

Professional Background and Experience

Katie has over six years of experience in commercial real estate. Katie is also a LEED Accredited Professional through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The USGBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable building design and construction. Katie chaired a National NAIOP Young Professionals Forum of rising stars in commercial real estate and traveled across the country learning about different geographic business climates and development trends. Katie also chaired NAIOP Minnesota‘s Developing Leaders.

Katie brings a unique Midwest perspective to U.S. public policy discussions. Meanwhile, she is connected to young professionals locally and nationally through her public policy and business networks. She has a first-hand understanding of what young professionals are facing across the country in today’s marketplace and she has a knack for communicating innovative solutions.

During college and throughout her time at NorthMarq, Katie wrote as an editorial columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, and, she was very engaged in public policy and youth outreach. She founded an educational non-profit organization and started a conservative newspaper at the University of St. Thomas called the St. Thomas Standard. Katie currently leverages multimedia to pursue her passions and talents for public policy, young people, entrepreneurship and writing.

Career highlights

• Katie’s love for writing began at an early age. At age eleven, she wrote her first book in a series of six children’s books as gifts for her Grandma. As a high school senior, she was selected to write as a columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Katie’s high school professors recognized her leadership skills, patriotism and passion for civic involvement and chose her to represent the school at Girls State.
• As a college sophomore, she founded and edited an independent conservative newspaper of thought and opinion called the St. Thomas Standard.
• She was the sole female entrepreneur recognized with a “Practicing Entrepreneur Award” at the University of St. Thomas during her senior year.
• During college, Katie also started a student organization to promote intellectual diversity on-campus. Katie was responsible for successfully bringing Ann Coulter and Jason Lewis to speak to college students. She accomplished this all in the face of great adversity from liberal college administrators. Read about Katie Kieffer’s journey on PowerLine.
• Katie currently coaches students and young professionals on how to engage in the civic arena through her local and national speaking engagements.

Katie’s Pursuits and Profile

Writer

Katie is a talented writer known for her depth of analysis and keen intelligence. In addition to her writing on this site, here are some past and present highlights:

• Columnist and Political Commentator, Townhall.com, 2011 – present
• Founder, Editor & Columnist, St. Thomas Standard, 2003 – 2008
• Community Columnist, St. Paul Pioneer Press Editorial Page, 2001

Public Speaker & Commentator

Katie participated in public speaking programs such as ToastMasters International and Big Ten Speakers for eight years. She has gained a reputation as a proficient and engaging public speaker. Some of her speaking engagements and awards are highlighted below:

Select national speaking engagements:

• RightOnline 2011 “Challenges to high-tech freedom and how to prevail”
• Trinity School at River Ridge
• CoreNet Global, “How to Attract & Retain Young Professionals”
• CPAC 2011 in Washington, D.C.
• 2010 Tax Day Rally at the Minnesota State Capitol
• NAIOP Development ’09, Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, Chicago
• Eagle Forum Collegiate Summit, Washington, D.C.
• NAIOP Leadership & Legislative Retreat, Washington, D.C.
• NAIOP Development ’07, Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, Atlanta

National broadcasts:

• The Young Wealth Show with Jason Hartman
• The Late Debate
• Clash Radio with Doug Giles
• The Dr. Gina Loudon Radio Show
• The White House Brief with Paul Westcott on iHeartRadio
• The Sue Jeffers Show on 100.3 FM K-TALK
• The Peter McClellan Show on AM 1570 Twin Cities Business Radio
• The Ed Morrissey and Mitch Berg Show, WWTC AM 1280 The Patriot

Public speaking awards:

• Big 10 Speakers All-Star Award
• Big 10 Speakers Most Valuable Member Award
• Big 10 Speakers High Five Club Distinction
• Toastmaster’s Speech Club President