meet k. lynne!
Twenty-five years ago, K. Lynne wrote a number of children’s books including one of her favorites…
Harley the Homeless Turtle.
But work consumed her days, and her evenings were focused on those she considers to be her greatest blessing – her family. Harley, along with the other manuscripts, was safely tucked away in a closet. She recently dusted off the stories and focused on bringing Harley to life. The tale is a charming way to bring up difficult topics and teachable moments.
A sought-after keynote and motivational speaker, Stewart has spoken to over 150,000 people across the country as she inspired teens to make healthy decisions. She has authored a number of published articles that mainly focused on the challenges of teen pregnancy and the importance of digital equity that levels the playing field for underserved communities. She is a graduate of Leadership Alabama and was named 2012 Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women. Stewart was Mrs. Alabama America and represented the state in the 2001 Mrs. America pageant where she placed in the Top 10. In 2002, she won Mrs. Alabama United States and Most Photogenic in the Mrs. United States pageant. Her dedication to community service includes formerly hosting a five-year-running, weekly radio program on public radio for blind and visually-impaired listeners in Alabama, Florida and Georgia; recording books-on-tape for the Alabama Library for the Blind; mentoring incarcerated women at Tutwiler Prison; participating in the Bedtime Story Project with Aid to Inmate Mothers; jumping out of a perfectly good plane—on purpose—to help raise funds so children with cancer could attend Camp Smile-a-Mile; and raising awareness and funds for a number of social causes. She has a heart for those living houseless and has volunteered at numerous organizations focusing on this challenge, including helping build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
K. Lynne’s career in the non-profit and governmental sectors has allowed her to dedicate her skills to causes for which she has a passion.
She served as Director of the Alabama Office of Broadband Development for Governors Bob Riley, Robert Bentley and Kay Ivey. In that role, she advanced access to and use of high-speed Internet to better serve Alabama families and communities. She was appointed to a number of national and state commissions,* including the Broadband Leaders Network for Broadband USA (a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce), the Alabama Telehealth Task Force, Alabama First Responders Wireless Commission, task forces addressing cybersecurity and numerous other committees. She was a mentor to young women entering careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
Stewart also served as director for the statewide broadband initiatives in Idaho and Wyoming and was a part of the leadership team for broadband efforts in Wisconsin. She was executive director of Alabama’s Children First Foundation and the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. She served as president of the Public Relations Council of Alabama - Montgomery Chapter, treasurer of Reading of Books on Tape for the Blind, was a member of the board of directors of Central Alabama CrimeStoppers, and the executive board of the Montgomery Auburn Club.
K. Lynne and her husband, Dave, currently reside in Florida. They enjoy spending time with their 3 children and 3 grandchildren, traveling internationally, and attending professional and college sporting events.
*Additional selected list of children and youth-related leadership positions:
Gubernatorial appointee of the Second Congressional District on the Alabama Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board
Gubernatorial appointee on the Governor's Task Force on Infant Mortality
Member of the National Media Campaign Advisory Board on Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Board member and treasurer for the Character Council of Alabama
Member of the State Quality Assurance Committee for the Department of Human Resources
Member of the 10-year Strategic Planning Committee for Alabama’s efforts to address child abuse and neglect
Advisory committee member for Alabama’s Zero-to-Five Initiative
Board member for HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters)
Advisory board member of the Alabama Department of Youth Services
Member of the Alabama Child Death Review Team
Member of the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs state Children’s Policy Council
Advisory committee for the Alabama Department of Mental Health
Mentor for the Attorney General’s Mentor Alabama program