AVCA Treasurer Takes to the Sky

Katie Koster is considering skydiving.

Koster, board treasurer for the Aliso Viejo Community Association, looks slim and stylish in black leggings and a gray blouse that matches her eyes.  She sips an iced green tea on the patio at Panera Bread as she explains her son Robert's plan once he turns 18—skydiving.

"The choice is to either let him go alone or go with him," Koster said.

Koster is not afraid of a challenge.  When she was a pre-law major at Pepperdine University, her grants were discontinued.  Determined to graduate, she used her childhood singing and dancing experience to win a theater scholarship.  She even lived in her car when she couldn't afford housing.  Koster graduated with a theater major and a business minor.

After college, Koster's first job was as a receptionist at an architectural firm.  She worked her way up to project administrator before leaving to manage a retail and commercial center in Agoura.  Koster later managed the bond finance program for the county of Riverside.  After five years with the county,  she returned to the private sector.  She's now an investment banker in public finance with Piper Jaffray & Co.

Now as AVCA treasurer, Koster faces the challenge of helping manage the board's $8.3 million budget in this difficult economy.

Before being elected to the AVCA Board, Koster served on the Association's budget and finance committee.  She has also been involved with 44 Women for Children, Women Helping Women and she has walked three times in the Avon Three-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.

"I feel like I have been very blessed in my life and I feel an obligation to give back to others who aren't so lucky.  I try and pick organizations that I can directly relate to and feel passionate about," she said.

Koster said she also volunteers to be a role model for her children.  Koster and her husband, Bob have two sons—both of whom are interested in careers that involve helping others. 

Ryan, a student at Saddleback Community College, is planning to major in child psychology and enjoys spending his summers as a counselor at Camp James.  Robert, a senior at Aliso Niguel High School, wants to study anthropology and would like to be an educator and teach internationally. 

Robert enjoys learning about different cultures, so Katie has accompanied him on backpacking trips through Europe.  They are planning a two-week trip to Costa Rica this summer.  When Robert was interested in kickboxing, Katie tried it too and still enjoys it as a way to release stress.

It's a safe bet that Katie will soon be skydiving too.