Katie Neustaeter grew up in Kamloops and is proud to call it home. Watching the community ebb and flow, changing for better in many ways and the more challenging in others, over the years Katie’s love for this community and all it has to offer has never wavered.

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During her first term as a Kamloops City Councillor, Katie was also proud to hold positions as:

• Deputy Mayor, City of Kamloops 

• Director, Thompson Nicola Regional District Board

• Chair, Safety & Security Council Select Committee

• Director, Thompson Regional Hospital District Board

• Vice President, Kamloops Airport Authority Society

• Co-Chair, Joint Recreation Select Committee with Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc

• Director, Tourism Kamloops Board

• Director, Venture Kamloops

• Member, Governance & Service Excellence Council Select Committee

• Member, Southern Interior Local Government Association

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In addition to her extensive volunteerism in the community, Katie has a professional background as Director of Communications for United Way British Columbia, Executive Director of United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Media with the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, and an Educational Assistant.

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But most importantly, Katie is married to her husband, Joel, of 24 years and they are parents to 3 incredible children. 

Katie is committed to good, productive, thoughtful, informed, hopeful political work for them, and for you.

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How Katie has and will support young people in her commmunity: 

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- I believe that mentorship is key to positive societal development. Through summer student employment, coaching local sports, my faith community, the City's Junior Council program and more,  I have developed strong and meaningful opportunities to build into local youth who I believe will be the difference makers for future generations. Investing in young people is the best use of our time, talent, and treasure, and I believe they deserve all that we can give them. Thoughtful, considerate, hard-working youth deserve the chance to learn from those who have experience, and connecting young folks to someone who will invest in them long-term leads to better outcomes for all. 

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- The Build Kamloops initiative is the implementation plan for the Master Recreation Plan and one that I helped to design and prioritize through my work on City Council. Building Swimming pools, Performing Arts Centres, Field Houses, and other recreational infrastructure isn't about having nice structures - it's about creating places where people find community, develop their talents, productively spend time, and are exposed to new opportunities that allow them to test their giftings and abilities while they work toward their best future. This is especially true for young people. Families and young adults deserve to know that their community is present and able to support both their needs and their dreams by creating access to what they need. Build Kamloops positions future and current young folks as priority user groups who we want to thrive right here at home. 

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- Through my work with United Way BC I championed the Youth Futures Education Fund. The grant initiative was created to address a critical gap: while the BC Provincial Tuition Waiver Program covers tuition and mandatory fees for former youth in care, it does not cover the non-tuition costs of living and studying. A student who was previously a youth in government care often does not have the support system available to other learners, and therefore continues to be disadvantaged while working toward their educational goals. No one to help with food security, winter tires, computers, books, rent, and other basic living needs.  By pairing tuition coverage with essential living supports, YFEF helps level the playing field so young adults aging out of government care can successfully focus on completing their post-secondary education. I'm proud to have raised well over a million dollars and have done countless amounts of promotion and advocacy both as a volunteer and through my work with United Way to ensure as many students as possible have the best shot possible at future they're dreaming of, as well as the present they also deserve. I believe no young person should be left behind, and this is one way anyone can help make that possible.