Kate is an author, speaker, former acclaimed actress and singer in the New York Broadway musical theater world, and the mother of Grammy Award–winning contemporary Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli. She is convinced that God has a wild, preposterous, secret, scary, or seemingly impossible dream for each person—a calling she describes as a “God dare”—because she has learned that, with God, absolutely anything is possible.
As a young actress in New York City, Kate was catapulted from understudy to leading lady when she was cast as
Anna in the Broadway national tour of The King and I, costarring opposite Yul Brynner for more than 1,000 performances. Later, Kate and her husband laid down their careers in the Broadway theater world in response to their first God dare: leaving New York to pursue a life of homeschooling and home-based business.
Kate’s story includes seasons of deep loss and redemption. She has experienced infertility, miscarriage, an abortion at age eighteen, and four failed adoption attempts—trials that profoundly shaped her faith and calling. Through it all, she has come to believe that God can and will use anyone who is willing.
A natural encourager, Kate speaks at workshops, churches, and conferences, inspiring men and women to let Jesus shape their future and step boldly into who God created them to be. She believes none of us is here by accident—and that each of us is called to change the world.
Kate lives in Franklin, Tennessee, near Francesca’s growing family. She has been married to her husband and business partner, Mike, for thirty-six years and treasures life close to their daughter, son-in-law, and five grandchildren.
Your children are growing up, and before you know it, they’ll be heading out of the nest. The many years of love and sacrifice—cooking, cleaning, disciplining, and discipling—will come to an unceremonious end sooner than you expect. This is your invitation to Act 2—the after-party of the empty nest—because “mom” isn’t your only name. Now is the time to prepare for the day when they fly the coop and you’re left wondering, “What do I do now?” Kate will share practical ways to rediscover the dreams and callings you may have set aside while raising your children. If we’re doing it right, we’re preparing them to go—because they do go. Motherhood is a journey of letting go. This is curtain up on Act 2.
In the American church, there is often a significant gap between generations. Older women may feel disconnected and irrelevant to the younger generation. Younger women may feel alone, navigating life as best they can while longing for guidance from someone who has gone before them. Kate offers encouragement, practical strategies, and creative ways to build meaningful connections across generations. None of us has it all together, but together we can grow, support one another, and live fuller, richer lives—lives that mutually bless and strengthen one another.
