Kaira Rouda

Kaira Sturdivant Rouda (born May 17, 1963) is an American author and businesswoman. She is best known for her psychological suspense novels, including Best Day Ever and All the Difference. Her novel The Favorite Daughter was released in May 2019.[1][2]

Kaira Rouda
BornKaira Sturdivant
(1963-05-17) May 17, 1963
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationAuthor, businesswoman
NationalityAmerican
EducationVanderbilt University (BA)
GenrePsychological suspense, women's fiction
SpouseHarley Rouda
Children4
Website
kairarouda.com

Early life and education

Kaira Sturdivant was born on May 17, 1963, in Evanston, Illinois, to Patricia Ann Robinson Sturdivant, a community volunteer from Santa Cruz, California, and Frederick David Sturdivant, PhD, a retired professor and management consultant from San Jose, California.

Rouda earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University in 1985.[3]

Career

In the early-1990s, Rouda began her career as a reporter for Business First newspaper, a member of the ACBJ chain. She switched to a marketing career beginning as an account executive for Fahlgren & Swink, a regional advertising agency, before assuming the role of vice president of marketing at Stanley Steemer in 1995.

In 2002, she created the Columbus, Ohio-based franchise company, Real Living Real Estate.[4] Built as the first female-focused residential real estate brand,[5][6] Rouda grew the brand to more than 22 states before its sale to Brookfield Residential Property Services, a Toronto based firm. The Real Living real estate franchise was eventually sold to Berkshire Hathaway.[7]

Early writing career

As a freelance writer, Rouda served as contributing editor for Columbus Monthly]] magazine, and as a contributing writer for Midwest Living. For ten years, she was the "Connections" columnist for THIS WEEK newspapers, a publication of The Columbus Dispatch.

Her first book was titled Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs[8]

Fiction writing

In 2011, Rouda turned her focus to writing fiction,[9]with an emphasis on women's fiction and domestic suspense. Her novel Best Day Ever (2017) received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews,[10] Book Reporter,[11] The Huffington Post[12] and The Charlotte News-Observer.[13]

Her novels include: The Favorite Daughter,[14] In the Mirror, All the Difference, The Goodbye Year,[15] and Here. Home. Hope.

Charitable and philanthropic work

Rouda's philanthropic efforts have focused on homelessness, food security, arts and education,[16] and the empowerment of women and girls. She was the founder of Make Room Columbus, Central Ohio's first shelter for homeless families. She also founded the Columbus Ohio Cattlebaron's Ball for the American Cancer Society; served on the board[17] of Central Ohio's YWCA and its capital campaign committee; and served on the first board for The Wexner Center for the Arts.[18] She served two terms on the board of directors for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

Rouda relocated to Southern California in 2009. There, she became an active volunteer for her children's schools. She is a volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, while serving on committees for the Tahirih Justice Center and Working Wardrobes/VetNet. She is a member of Human Rights Watch, Southern California board.

Awards

Rouda was listed on Entrepreneur Magazine's Fifty Fastest Growing Women-Led Businesses.[19] Her work on Real Living earned Rouda a Stevie Award for Women in Business.[20] She has received multiple ADDY, Webby, Telly, Communicator, Prism, and WebAwards for her marketing work.

For her civic service, Rouda has received the Ohio Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, Kiwanis Humanitarian Award and Northwest Rotary Woman of the Year award. In 1991, she was named Citizen of the Year, Columbus Board of Realtors.[21] The following year, she earned a national Kiwanis Service to Humanity Award.

Personal life

Rouda resides in Laguna Beach, California, with her husband, U.S. Representative Harley Rouda.[22][23] Rouda has four adult children.[24][25][26]

References
  1. "'The Favorite Daughter' By Kaira Rouda Is A Thriller About Grief, Loss, And Memory That Will Hit You Right In The Heart". Bustle. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  2. "Politicians gather at 2020 contender John Delaney's townhouse to toast author Kaira Rouda". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  3. Takahama, Valerie (2019-06-05). "Author Kaira Rouda Carved Out Her Place Before Her Role as a Congressional Spouse". Orange Coast Magazine. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  4. "Real-estate company expanding its radius". Dispatch.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  5. "Real Living, Inc. President to Speak at Upcoming LuxuryRealEstate.com Event". Reaching Women Daily. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  6. "Kaira Rouda - Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Marketer, Speaking and Author". Par Excellence Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  7. "HSF Affiliates LLC Announces Promotions Among Leadership Ranks". apnews.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  8. Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. ISBN 047017658X.
  9. "Exclusive Resorts Magazine". Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  10. "Best Day Ever". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  11. "Review: Best Day Ever". Bookreporter. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  12. "Book Review: Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  13. "Durham and Asheville have roles in dystopian novel with murderous plot and deadly ticks". newsobserver.com. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  14. "She was writing a thriller; he was running for Congress: The story of Kaira and Harley Rouda, politics and 'The Favorite Daughter'". OCRegister.com. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  15. "Recent Books, Spring 2018". Vanderbilt.edu. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  16. "Laguna High School Artists Called To Enter CA-48 Art Competition". Patch.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  17. "YWCA Columbus Board of Trustees" (PDF). YWCA Columbus.org. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  18. "Kaira Sturdivant Rouda: Real You Incorporated". Wexarts.org. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  19. "Growing Strong". Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  20. "Real Living". steviewaward.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  21. "Nominations being accepted for Columbus REALTORS® Annual Awards". Columbus Realtors.com. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  22. "WAVE Makers: For Orange County's progressive movement, the future is female". Ocregister.com. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  23. "In deepest red Orange County, a blue flame is sparking in a district that has long supported Rep. Rohrabacher". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  24. "Laguna Life and People". Novelist Kaira Rouda – and her books – sparkle with humor and heart: we’re lucky to have her in Laguna. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  25. "Author Kaira Rouda Carved Out Her Place Before Her Role as a Congressional Spouse". Orange Coast Magazine. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  26. "A Voice For Change". Laguna Beach Magazine. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
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