Kathryn Sims Cross grew up in Charlottesville. She attended St. Anne’s-Belfield School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She married UVA grad Michael Cross in 1986. Michael is a financial advisor with Capitol Securities. They have one son, Walker, who is currently living in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Kathryn started her career working for Conde Nast Publications in New York City. Upon returning to Charlottesville, she established a career path raising funds and marketing nonprofit organizations as Charlottesville Representative for WVPT Public Television. Over the past 30 years, she has been fortunate to work for several excellent nonprofit organizations in Charlottesville and Richmond including the United Way of Greater Richmond, the Thomas Jefferson Area United Way, the Charlottesville Free Clinic, and the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Virginia. Additionally, Kathryn has been active in the community as a member of the Junior League of Charlottesville, Party Parade, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, the St. Anne’s-Belfield Alumni Council, and The Bridge PAI.

Kathryn joined the Martha Jefferson House Board of Directors in January 2023. She states that she joined the MJH board because, “I understand and value what a wonderful community the MJHouse is. As a child my mother and I regularly visited her godmother, Kay Turner, a long-time resident of the House and later I brought my son to the House to visit my grandmother, Louise Sims Twohey, who was a resident for many years. Now my father and stepmother, Ward & Sallie Sims, are current residents of the House. As a seasoned development professional, I’m delighted to contribute to ongoing sustainability of the House.”