Living the Mission: Kate Fahey '00

When Kate Fahey graduated from Notre Dame Prep in 2000, she never imagined that one day she’d be leading a life-transforming ministry in Zambia. But as her story reveals, God had a bigger plan— and Kate was willing to follow.

Kate started her professional career as a college financial representative for Northwestern Mutual at the age of 19. By 20, she was recruited to MassMutual, quickly climbing into management.

But life shifted dramatically when she left her job as an investment specialist to care for her two grandmothers, one battling Alzheimer’s, the other recovering from a stroke. It was during this deeply personal and emotional time that Kate discovered her calling to become a nurse.

In 2014, after becoming a nurse, Kate was invited to join a short-term medical mission to Zambia—a trip she initially resisted. Africa was never on Kate’s radar. But when she prayed about it, God made it clear that she needed to go. That single act of following God’s call led to more than just a two-week trip; it sparked a calling that would redefine Kate’s life.

Each summer, Kate returned to Zambia, staying longer and organizing medical clinics alongside local nurses to reach people in remote areas with little to no access to healthcare. In 2018, her work expanded when she connected with a local children’s home of over 100 children and a school of 600 students.

By 2019, Kate moved full-time to Zambia to deepen her impact. During the COVID-19 shutdown, she began working with young adults who had aged out of the children’s home system, helping them transition into adulthood with discipleship, emotional counseling, and career coaching. Many of these young people had been suddenly displaced and left to fend for themselves. Kate's response was to walk with them through the crisis— offering hope, healing, and practical life tools.

Her work was the beginning of Atlantic Ministries Discipleship Center and its new program, Activate Life Transformation Centers—a holistic model focused on emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial transformation. By 2026, the center plans to launch a robust offering of counseling, life and career coaching, business development, and health and wellness programs.

Have a vision that will pull you through the pain of transformation.

Since returning to the U.S. in 2023, Kate continues to serve as the Nurse Manager at St. Vincent’s Villa, a trauma-informed care facility for children ages 5–14. Her work there has deeply influenced her leadership in Zambia. “The training that I attend for work significantly impacts the work I am doing in Zambia.”

Looking back, Kate sees how her foundation at Notre Dame Prep laid the groundwork for her life of service. “In high school, I participated in the Special Friends programs at St. Vincent’s Villa and at Gallagher Center. As a senior, I was awarded the Service Award for my class and continued my service through college and beyond.”

As for what’s most rewarding about her work in Zambia? “Seeing individual lives transform and then seeing those people help others to transform,” Kate says.