Kathryn E. Krivy received her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and she spent the first 25 years of her career as a health care executive. In her various positions, Kathryn focused primarily on operations, strategy, and governance. Over the years, she became an expert in wellness, prevention, women’s health issues, consumer health information, and corporate health programs. Throughout her career, Kathryn developed new health care business models and marketed new products and programs that helped her business expand not only economically, but geographically.
In 2010, Kathryn shifted her focus and became the Vice President of Program Development and Board Relations for The Executives’ Club of Chicago. In her current role, Kathryn is responsible for maintaining the organization’s reputation for thought leadership by building, executing, and marketing The Club’s extensive portfolio of programs. Kathryn also serves on the board of the PBCers Organization.
In 1993, Kathryn was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), a disease that little was known about at the time. Kathryn was fortunate to find a liver support group online and eventually realized that PBC is a survivable disease. She became proactive about her situation and helped form the PBCers Organization, an international support group with thousands of members. Thanks in part to Kathryn’s tireless efforts, PBCers was able to receive a multi-million NIH grant for M. Eric Gershwin, MD to study PBC at UC Davis.
After her PBC progressed, Kathryn received a liver transplant at Northwestern Medicine in 2000. “Having a transplant was a profound and life altering experience,” Kathryn has said. “Being on the list for three years taught me to savor every moment and live life to its fullest.”
After receiving her transplant, Kathryn fulfilled a lifelong dream of graduating from French Pastry School and opening her own confectionery, Sweet Purrfection.
I wake up happy every day, so grateful to be alive. Through my involvement with the NMTAC, I’d like to give back in a meaningful way and help others who might be experiencing what I went through so many years ago.