Kaira Rouda Explained

Kaira Rouda
Birth Name:Kaira Sturdivant
Birth Date:1963 5, mf=y
Birth Place:Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Education:Vanderbilt University (BA)
Occupation:Author, businesswoman
Genre:Psychological suspense, women's fiction
Spouse:Harley Rouda
Children:4

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]

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, 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 American City Business Journals chain. She later worked 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 has contributed articles to Columbus Monthly and Midwest Living. For ten years, she was the "Connections" columnist for This Week, 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] Book Reporter,[11] HuffPost[12] and The 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 the Human Rights Watch Southern California board.

Awards

Rouda was listed on Entrepreneur'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, former U.S. Representative Harley Rouda.[22] [23] Rouda has four adult children.[24] [25] [26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'The Favorite Daughter' By Kaira Rouda Is A Thriller About Grief, Loss, And Memory That Will Hit You Right In The Heart. 28 March 2019. Bustle.
  2. News: Politicians gather at 2020 contender John Delaney's townhouse to toast author Kaira Rouda. 6 June 2019. The Washington Post.
  3. Web site: Takahama. Valerie. 2019-06-05. Author Kaira Rouda Carved Out Her Place Before Her Role as a Congressional Spouse. 2020-11-11. Orange Coast Magazine. en-US.
  4. Web site: Real-estate company expanding its radius . Dispatch.com . 29 March 2019.
  5. Web site: Real Living, Inc. President to Speak at Upcoming LuxuryRealEstate.com Event. 15 May 2019. Reaching Women Daily.
  6. Web site: Kaira Rouda - Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Marketer, Speaking and Author . Par Excellence Magazine . 28 March 2019.
  7. Web site: HSF Affiliates LLC Announces Promotions Among Leadership Ranks . apnews.com . 29 March 2019.
  8. Book: Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs . 978-0470176580 . registration . Rouda . Kaira Sturdivant . 8 February 2008 . Wiley .
  9. Web site: Best Day Ever . Kirkus Reviews . 28 March 2019.
  10. Web site: Exclusive Resorts Magazine . 15 May 2019. with an emphasis on women's fiction and domestic suspense. Her novel Best Day Ever (2017) received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews,[9]
  11. Web site: Review: Best Day Ever . Bookreporter . 28 March 2019.
  12. Web site: Book Review: Best Day Ever by Kaira Rouda . The Huffington Post . 28 March 2019.
  13. Web site: Durham and Asheville have roles in dystopian novel with murderous plot and deadly ticks . newsobserver.com . 28 March 2019.
  14. Web site: She was writing a thriller; he was running for Congress: The story of Kaira and Harley Rouda, politics and 'The Favorite Daughter' . OCRegister.com . 14 June 2019.
  15. Web site: Recent Books, Spring 2018 . Vanderbilt.edu . 29 March 2019.
  16. Web site: Laguna High School Artists Called To Enter CA-48 Art Competition . Patch.com . 29 March 2019.
  17. Web site: YWCA Columbus Board of Trustees . YWCA Columbus.org . 15 May 2019.
  18. Web site: Kaira Sturdivant Rouda: Real You Incorporated . Wexarts.org . 29 March 2019.
  19. Web site: Growing Strong . Entrepreneur.com . 29 March 2019.
  20. Web site: Real Living . steviewaward.com . 29 March 2019.
  21. Web site: Nominations being accepted for Columbus REALTORS® Annual Awards . Columbus Realtors.com . 15 May 2019.
  22. Web site: WAVE Makers: For Orange County's progressive movement, the future is female. 29 March 2019. Ocregister.com.
  23. Web site: In deepest red Orange County, a blue flame is sparking in a district that has long supported Rep. Rohrabacher . Los Angeles Times . 29 March 2019.
  24. Web site: Laguna Life and People. 15 May 2019. Novelist Kaira Rouda – and her books – sparkle with humor and heart: we’re lucky to have her in Laguna.
  25. Web site: Author Kaira Rouda Carved Out Her Place Before Her Role as a Congressional Spouse. 6 June 2019. Orange Coast Magazine.
  26. Web site: A Voice For Change. 29 March 2019. Laguna Beach Magazine.