Kathy is a strong advocate for student centred education and the importance of local voice. 

Kathy is a high school teacher who is passionate about community capacity building. She possesses degrees in both Education and Human Resource Management and a Masters of Education.

Kathy recognizes the importance of language programs and diversity in education due to her experience with international community development. She is a co-founder of the WSD Spanish Bilingual program established in 2016 at Earl Grey School, the first of its kind in Manitoba. Her youngest daughter attends the program.The work involved in proposing the program gave Kathy extensive experience working with school boards and administration, the Department of Education, local communities, and the Spanish Embassy.

Kathy is the Chair of the Earl Grey Parent Advisory Council and has previously served as Vice-Chair of the Dante Day Nursery Board of Directors where she led policy and board development. 

Kathy Heppner and her husband Carl have four children who have attended or currently attend schools in Ward 3; Earl Grey School, École River Heights School, and École Kelvin High School.