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 want this blog to be a resource where young people can get the information they need to make important decisions.

I want to dispel the notion that “conservative” is synonymous with the “status quo,” “rigid thinking,” or “rich men who smoke cigars.” To me, “conservative” means to continually innovate and look forward – while relying on a strong foundation of history, traditions and facts.

I’ll purely be the catalyst for stimulating discussions and debates. Once you register, you can interface with my perspective and carry my ideas to the next level. I want to hear your ideas! I hope that you’ll find this to be a place where you’ll grow professionally, and expand your own network of young professionals.

KatieKieffer.com is a place where you can feel free to talk about things that really matter to you. I think open-minded conservatives, liberals and moderates will find this blog 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. She worked in NorthMarq Real Estate Services LLC’s property management department on a wide range of office, retail and industrial properties. In 2008, Katie was promoted to work on new business development for NorthMarq’s real estate services team.

Katie is 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 was a founding member of NorthMarq’s Green Team, and she was also responsible for developing sustainability goals and proposals for NorthMarq’s clients.

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. Recently, Katie turned to blogging as one way to pursue her passions and talents for public policy, young people, entrepreneurialism 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
  • At age 20, Katie started a non-profit organization, to promote intellectual diversity among young people. Katie was responsible for successfully bringing Ann Coulter and Jason Lewis to speak to college students. She rallied for Star Parker to speak on campus. She accomplished this all in the face of great adversity from liberal college administrators.
  • At age 20, she also founded and edited an independent conservative newspaper of thought and opinion called the St. Thomas Standard
  • In 2005, she was the sole female entrepreneur recognized as a “Practicing Entrepreneur” at the University of St. Thomas.
  • Katie coaches students and young professionals on how to engage in the civic arena through her local and national speaking engagements.

For fun

Katie enjoys working out, golfing, traveling, trying new restaurants and foods, reading, writing, live jazz, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.

Katie’s Pursuits and Profile

Freelance Writer

Writing Profile

Katie is a talented writer known for her depth of analysis and keen intelligence. Here are some highlights:

Public Speaker & Commentator

Katie Speaking at Eagle Forum, Washington D.C.

Katie Speaking at Eagle Forum, Washington D.C.

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:

National speaking engagements & broadcasts:

  • NAIOP Development ’09, Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, Chicago, Oct., 2009
  • Politics and Parfaits NAIOP Panel Moderator, Minneapolis, August, 2009
  • Eagle Forum Collegiate Summit, Washington, D.C., July, 2009
  • REMIX NAIOP Panel Moderator, Minneapolis, June, 2009
  • NAIOP Leadership & Legislative Retreat, Washington, D.C., Feb., 2009
  • NAIOP MN Volunteer of the Year Award Presenter, Minneapolis, Jan., 2009
  • Radio Guest, The Mitch Berg Show, AM 1280 The Patriot, April, 2008
  • Jason Lewis speech moderator, The Town and Country Club, Minneapolis, April, 2008
  • NAIOP Development ’07, Annual Meeting for Commercial Real Estate, Atlanta, Oct., 2007
  • Radio Guest, The Mitch Berg Show, AM 1280 The Patriot, April, 2005
  • Ann Coulter Speech Moderator, The University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, April 2005

Public speaking honors:

  • Big 10 Speakers High Five Club, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009
  • Big 10 Speakers Most Valuable Member Award, 2006
  • Big 10 Speakers All-Star Award, 2006
  • Toastmaster’s Speech Club President, 2001

Writing Samples:

Writing samples are posted in their entirety with permission from the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the NAIOP Minnesota Chapter. Articles are copyright by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and NAIOP Minnesota respectively and may not be republished or redistributed without permission from said organizations. KatieKieffer.com is not affiliated with or representing any of the publications or organizations mentioned in Katie’s writing samples.