Kathy "Kat" Wilson

           Realtor and musician, Kathy Wilson (Kat) was once afraid of speaking in public. She could sing and dance without a touch of fear, but speaking to a sober audience created much anxiety. It was never a goal to improve her public speaking skills, until changes in the real estate market created the desire for additional education.

            While achieving her bachelor’s degree, Kat was required to do presentations in front of groups of strangers each week. It suddenly became easier. One day, a fellow classmate, who worked for the Reno nonprofit, The Children’s Cabinet, asked Kat if she would consider teaching parenting classes for The Cabinet. Kat decided to give it a try. The first couple classes were a bit daunting, but each new class got easier.

As the months and years passed, Kat found herself going far outside the parenting class box, teaching classes on Anger Management, Communication, The Importance of Fatherhood, Drug Awareness and a plethora of other topics. The class that had the largest attendance month after month was Cooperative Parenting After Divorce. This class was an important staple in the community for many years.

After changing her employment status with The Children’s Cabinet from employee to contractor, Kat began her internship as a Marriage and Family Therapy intern. She had a Reno office, as well as a rural office in Austin, Nevada, called the Austin Counseling Center.

While working as a therapist, Kat was contacted by a television producer, Ife Okwudili, who had a wild idea about a Realtor with counseling experience and a specialty in divorce. She searched LinkedIn, and Kat was the only person that seemed to fill the bill. Kat did a Skype interview and Ms Okwudili, who pitched the idea to several television networks. Unfortunately, the program was not picked up, but it reinforced the fact that Kat’s skills were special and specific.

Kat continues to teach classes as needed in the community, usually for Washoe County School District, The State of Nevada and for Amazon. Kat and broker, Allan Zane, are planning for community education to be an important addition to what is offered in the new Atlas Red Realty office.

Kat is no longer afraid of public speaking.