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Kate believes in the power of stories.

At the heart of Kate’s (she/her/hers) ministry are the stories we tell to create our identity. These stories shape our sense of self; our belonging to community; the ways we encounter others; and the development of systems, processes, and institutions. Over the past fifteen years, Kate has worked amidst the intersection of story as a convener of discerning bodies, creative worship designer, non-profit fundraiser, and strategic planner.

Called into the current of change, Kate is passionate about the ways our stories can reform institutions. With her ability to create intentional space for discernment alongside a calming leadership presence, Kate encourages communities to embrace new ways of being while honoring the paths that came before.

Responsible for the creation of Luther College’s Giving Day, Kate established a framework for the 24-hour social media campaign which continues to earn over $1 million each year for the Luther Fund. Kate has also worked as a fundraising consultant for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and several Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations. She has had the privilege to work alongside the Vandersall Collective, an innovative consulting firm out of New York City, focused on providing just and community driven leadership.

Kate’s creative worship planning has spanned the gamut— from designing rituals for small, bi-lingual congregations to writing music and liturgy for denomination-wide gatherings. Kate merged her skills together as a board member of Presbyterian Women, where she served on the Creative Ministries Offering Committee, writing liturgy for stewardship gatherings featured in Horizons Magazine. From 2020-2022, Kate was asked to take on additional leadership within Presbyterian Women as the co-chair of the Racial Equity Committee alongside of the Rev. Khayla Johnson. Kate has also reflected on worship as a leadership development tool in the Office of the General Assembly’s Along the Road Podcast.

These many paths and gifts have come together in Kate’s service as Director of General Assembly Planning for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Kate was appointed to this role by the Acting Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and confirmed as an Associate Stated Clerk by the General Assembly in 2024. Kate has enthusiastically answered the call to create equitable spaces for discernment, equip the church to discover and tell its story, and support the continued connection between theology and process.

Kate is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (MDiv) and Luther College (BA in Theatre Performance, Religion, and Classical Studies). She is an ordained Ruling Elder serving at Beechmont Presbyterian Church and sings professionally with the Louisville Chamber Choir. Kate is also a trained Anti-Racism Facilitator for the PC(USA), was a delegate to the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and is featured in the Theocademy video series, “Women and Reformation: Expanding the Narrative.

Kate is based in Louisville, KY where she lives with her husband, McClain; their son, Aberdeen; and two sleepy dogs named Tully and Bombur. For more information about Kate’s work history, visit her LinkedIn or download her resume.


She can be reached at ktriggerduffert@gmail.com.