Kathy Graves heads the firm’s strategic and communications planning. She is the recipient of a Minnesota Newspaper Award for feature writing, a Minnesota Magazine & Publishing Association Excellence Award, The Minneapolis Award, and the ARC Changemaker Award. She also is the co-author and editor of Indians in Minnesota (University of Minnesota Press) and teaches writing at Metropolitan State University. Prior to forming Parenteau Graves in 1994, Kathy served as marketing and public relations director for The Minnesota and Virginia Operas and on the staff of U.S. Senator Gary Hart. She also was the arts writer for the Southwest Journal for seven years and a Mondale Policy Fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Her board service includes the Friends of the Hennepin County Library, PACER Center, Mayflower Church, and Mind Body Solutions. Kathy has a degree in political science and English from Colorado College.