Katie Graham lives light.

In fact a Forty Under 40 nominating letter from her mentor, attorney Frank Harty, led to the question of whether she lives in a shoebox.

Not so, of course, but Graham’s road to prominence at the Nyemaster Goode P.C. law firm and with organizations such as the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition and Winefest Des Moines was traveled in a Jeep Liberty packed with the few possessions she had at hand.

“I did some roaming,” Graham said.

The Waterloo native decided that she should sample more of the country after graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism. We should point out that while studying to be a reporter, Graham would look for stories at the Johnson County Courthouse and tap the court attendant for tips. She encountered few other students.

“It was an odd way to go about getting stories,” she said.

Graham graduated a semester early, packed up her Liberty and headed to the East Coast. Boston was too expensive, so she settled for a time in Dover, N.H., worked in a fine-dining restaurant and learned a little about wine.

After six months, Graham had to decide whether to attend law school or continue her travels. She decided that law school could wait and headed for Louisville, Ky., worked for a year at another restaurant, and “then, as I knew I would, I decided I was ready to be back in Iowa, but I didn’t want to move to a small city.”

Graham chose Drake University Law School and set about learning about Des Moines and checking into organizations where she could make a contribution.

She became involved with the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition, then Winefest Des Moines, believing both organizations were intent on improving the quality of life in the city.

So why get involved? Why not get the law degree and take it into the courtroom?

“I  could have stood on the outside,” Graham said. “But, I like getting to know those people and bringing ideas to the table.”

Reasons she’s a forty:

• She volunteers as a mock trial coach for Valley High School.
• She serves as co-chairwoman of Winefest Des Moines Grand Cru.
• She is a member of the Central Iowa steering committee for Iowa Women Lead Change.
• She is co-chairwoman of the Greater Des Moines Music Coalition’s backstage ball committee.