Meet Kaye!
When I’m not at my computer helping clients solve problems, you’ll find me outside—painting, hiking, cycling, or skiing. A few years ago, I had the incredible opportunity to be an Artist-in-Residence at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I spent my time there capturing the shifting weather, light, and the intricate microenvironments shaped by the park’s unique geology. For my public presentation, I paired my paintings with GIS mapping, highlighting the fascinating natural features of the places I had painted—because, really, what’s better than combining art and science?
Everything I do reinforces my connection to nature. It all overlaps. Through my design work and painting, I aim to create an honest, visual representation of our relationship with the land—and remind people that we have a responsibility to respect its power and influence on our culture.
I’ve walked the entire shoreline, hiked the trails, biked the roads, and skied the forests—I’ve explored nearly every inch of this landscape. I even lived off the grid on School Lake Road, where my days revolved around nature’s rhythms (and where electricity was more of a suggestion than a guarantee).
Leelanau County isn’t just a place I love—it’s a place I know inside and out. My book, The Leelanau Trek | One Shoreline | Two Visions, created with photographer Ken Scott, is a celebration of its beauty. My passion for the outdoors and building community has shaped everything I do—whether as an artist, outdoor adventurer, or through my work and volunteer efforts with local trails and conservation groups. Looking back, every experience in my life has led me here, preparing me to contribute as part of your team.
I’ve made it my mission to help trails grow, thrive, and bring people together. Because trails aren’t just dirt paths or groomed ski tracks—they’re invitations to adventure, fitness, and joy. The more time you spend outside, the more you realize how vital these spaces are—and why they need protecting.
Back in 1999, I had a thought: Why should winter mean staying inside? So, I launched the Women’s Winter Tour—a cross-country skiing and snowshoeing event that’s basically an outdoor winter party. Picture fresh air, great people, and just the right amount of chocolate and champagne to keep things interesting. My goal? To help women love winter instead of just enduring it—and to raise funds for incredible causes like the Women’s Resource Center.
What started as a local gathering quickly turned into something much bigger. The event expanded to eight locations across the U.S. and Canada, becoming the largest women’s winter event in the country. It grew so much that Fischer Skis made it their third-largest program, and The New York Times featured it on the front page of their Sunday Travel section. At its peak, we inspired over 6,500 women to get outside, get moving, and give back—helping others get back on their feet while embracing winter on their own two feet. Each event included a health expo, ski lessons, and even a Some Like It Cold fashion show, because why not have a little fun with it?
At the end of the day, everything I do comes back to one thing: giving back to the outdoor spaces that bring me so much joy. Whether through my design work, my art, advocating for trails, or just getting outside to play—I’m all in on keeping northern Michigan a place of beauty, adventure, and connection.