A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Kathleen Nielson holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Literature from Vanderbilt University and a B.A. from Wheaton College (IL). She has taught in the English departments at Vanderbilt University, Bethel College (MN), and Wheaton College. She is the author of numerous Bible studies as well as various articles and poems. Kathleen has directed and taught Women's Bible studies at several churches, speaks extensively at women's conferences and retreats, and serves on the Board of Directors of Focus on the Family.

Kathleen is married to Dr. Niel Nielson, President of Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. She hosts numerous events for the Covenant community, developing personal, mentoring relationships with many students. She and Niel together teach a leadership class each year to freshman scholars. Kathleen and Niel have three sons.