Kathy Eldon was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She graduated from Wellesley College and has since worked as an art teacher, television presenter, magazine editor, journalist, media consultant and a television and film producer in Kenya, England and the United States. She is the CEO and Co-Founder, with her daughter Amy Eldon, of Creative Visions Foundation. The Creative Visions Foundation supports people, especially the young, who use media, technology and the arts to create awareness of social, environmental or humanitarian issues and effect positive change in local and global communities.

Creative Visions Foundation was inspired by the life of Dan Eldon –-artist, adventurer and activist – who was killed in 1993 while on assignment for Reuters News Agency in Somalia. The Creative Visions Foundation is a dedication and continuation of his philosophy: to reach beyond oneself and touch the lives of others with creativity and passion. Founded in 1998 by Kathy and Amy Eldon, Dan’s mother and sister, CVF is a publicly supported 501 (c) (3) organization. Kathy is currently producing and developing a feature film about Dan’s life.

Kathy has written sixteen books including:

The Journey is the Destination: The Journals of Dan Eldon
(edited by Kathy Eldon)
A compilation of the richly textured journal pages that Dan made and kept during his 22 years. The book includes photos, collages and images from his travels to more than 40 countries and year as a Reuters photographer in Somalia. Sold over 150,000 copies. (chronicle/1997)

The Art of Life by Jennifer New
(afterward by Kathy Eldon)
A biography of Dan Eldon, Kathy’s son, illustrated from Dan’s awe-inspiring, famous journals. Authored by Jennifer New. Packaged by Kathy Eldon. (Chronicle/2001)Angel Catcher, a journal of loss and remembrance (chronicle/1998)

Love Catcher, a journal to help you infuse more love in your life (Chronicle/2001);
Soul Catcher, a journal to help you be your true self (Chronicle/1999)
The “Catcher” series of self guided journals is co-authored by Amy Eldon, help people negotiate loss and grief, find their purpose and introduce more love in their lives. Soul Catcher has sold over 100,000 copies and Angel Catcher is used in hospices and hospitals all over the world.

Kathy has executive produced and launched several Projects for film and television including the PBS series, Global Tribe, produced and hosted by Amy Eldon. The Emmy nominated Turner Broadcasting two-hour documentary,"Dying to tell the Story", about journalists who risk their lives to do their jobs, which was conceived of, and presented by Amy Eldon. In l999 Kathy exec-produced a one hour CNN documentary, "Soldiers of Peace : A Children's Crusade", about the Colombian children's peace movement, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Both films were distributed internationally to over 220 countries. Kathy's company also produced "Lost in Africa", a family feature film distributed by Columbia Pictures internationally. Kathy is currently developing and producing a features film about her son, Dan Eldon.

Kathy has also appeared in several publications since she began her career as an editor and journalist in Nairobi, Kenya in 1980 where she worked as a freelance editor with The Nation, Kenya’s largest daily newspaper. By the time she left Kenya for London in 1988, she ahd published eight books, including three cookbooks, a tourist guide to Nairobi, the eating out guide and best selling Safari Diary, as well as a book on music for children. Her articles have since appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Bon Appetite, Playgirl, The Sunday Telegraph, and the Daily Mail. Her articles have been syndicated in newspapers throughout the world. Additionally, Kathy has made several television appearances including, The Oprah Show, Jane Pauley, CNN World, and National Geographic.

Kathy is available for speaking engagements all over the world. Please contact CarrieMaloney@creativevisions.org

download Kathy's Speaker Packet