She volunteers around the world and in her own backyard; but for Kathy Kokas '73, serving others is a way of life.
"I feel as if I'm supposed to do this. I learned about volunteerism at my parents' knees," Kathy said. "I was taught that we're supposed to help one another, as we lean on each other throughout our lives in some way or another."
For her generous commitment and her unwavering dedication to health-related causes and underserved populations, Kathy is the 2008 recipient of the St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Veritas Award for her inspirational life and indomitable spirit in professional and volunteer work.
"I don't know what I did to receive this recognition, but I am so humbled and honored," she said. "I've always felt that God has put the right people in the right places at the right times for me. I'm always being shown the joy you receive in helping others."
Kathy is an active board member of the Rotary Club's West University chapter. Last year, she traveled to Brazil to review literacy projects in the slums of San Paolo and later this year she will take part in an ambitious Polio vaccination effort in India. She recently ended her tenure with the Board of Directors at Houston's Habitat for Humanity, but remains very involved with the organization. She is a former member of the St. Agnes Academy Foundation Board, current member of Christian Community Services Center Foundation Board and regularly works with local non-profit groups, like Dress for Success, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine's Alzheimer's Research Center and the United Way as an advocate, fundraiser and consultant. She's also an active participant in the lay chaplaincy program administered by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston at Methodist Hospital and mentor at other suburban hospitals.
"I've been blessed and have a happy life," Kathy said. "And if there are talents I can share with others, to make others' lives better, then I want to be involved in whatever way I can. Mostly, I am the "arms and legs" helping to make things happen and just trying to help people along the way."
Kathy is a Bellaire native and a graduate of Holy Ghost Catholic School. After attending St. Agnes, Kathy received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas-Austin and is a Certified Public Accountant. With more than 25 years of professional corporate leadership experience, she is now a Houston-based consultant with Semeron Corporation, a woman-owned company specializing in project management, strategic planning and compliance/audit. She enjoys traveling - spanning the globe during trips with family and friends, including a recent trip with her young cousin to New Zealand and a hiking trip in Spain to follow a holy pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. In April, she made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Today, she credits much of what she learned at St. Agnes with helping her formulate her mission for life - commitment to service, curiosity and a life-long love of learning, dedication to family and friends, and constant reliance on faith and recently, meditation. Sr. Heloise Cruzat, O.P. '49, Eileen Antill '51 and Sr. Mary Joseph Roach, O.P. (now deceased) were her mentors and remain friends. She is still close with a circle of friends she's carried through her life from her neighborhood, her days at Holy Ghost to her years at St. Agnes.
"I didn't get it then, but I do now - St. Agnes equipped me for life. I know how much my parents sacrificed to get me here and I am forever grateful for that gift," Kathy said. "I took away so much from my St. Agnes experience. And the connection I share with so many other alumnae is something I cherish."
