Delete Danger

Katie (LeClerc) Greer ’04, ‘09G, inspired by a previous career with the Corruption, Fraud and Computer Crime Division of the Attorney General’s Office, decided to create her own consulting firm which provides internet and technology safety education to schools, law enforcement agencies, corporations, community organizations and national conferences.

BY LAUREN CARR

When you ask Katie (LeClerc) Greer ’04, ’09G what she loves most about being an entrepreneur, her response is well thought out. “I love the fact that I can be my own boss and build a business around my core values, like kindness and being a good person. At the end of the day, I want people to recognize me as a passionate, honest, caring individual who has done positive things.”

Those “positive things” are clearly reflected in her consulting firm, KL Greer Consulting, which provides internet and technology safety education to schools, law enforcement agencies, corporations, community organizations and national conferences.

Katie was inspired by her previous career with the Corruption, Fraud and Computer Crime Division of the Attorney General’s Office, which was inundated with requests for Internet safety presentations. She created an initial program and eventually expanded it to meet the high demand. Later, after leaving the attorney general’s office, Katie worked full time as an intelligence analyst for the Massachusetts State Police where she performed similar work.

She believes the key to staying safe in today’s technology-driven world is education—there is an art to education, and one component is realizing that not all audiences are wired the same. Katie began her consultancy with one small program to deliver to students and adults. Since then, she has built a range of programs that address audiences of all ages and professions.

“It’s really about mindfulness—being intentional and thoughtful,” Katie explains. “Technology is (developing) so fast and it’s evolving all the time, so we are frequently stripped of that opportunity period to stop and think. We've become consumers rather than being mindful. For kids and adults, I try to get them to see how can they use technology as a tool.”

Some of the strategies Katie teaches children include how to keep their personal information safe, knowing which sites are appropriate to use, using social networks responsibly, and heightening awareness of how you’re establishing your digital brand. For parents, Katie helps them navigate the digital waters, educating them on “what’s new, what’s now, and what’s next,” and providing proactive initiatives to help them keep their children safe.

She also offers private consultations for clients with certain technology issues within their homes, schools, or organizations. “Whether it’s a one-on-one with a student who needs guidance, a family which needs help making their home network safe for everyone, or a school looking for assistance in complying with cyberbullying legislation, I bring an honest approach to each unique situation,” Katie says.

Her mission undoubtedly resonates with her audiences. Katie has attracted local and national attention, appearing on television shows and networks such as The Meredith Vieira Show, Inside Edition, CNN, and NBC Boston, as well as print media like USA Today, Good Housekeeping, The Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, and more.

With nearly a decade of experience as an entrepreneur, Katie credits Salem State for instilling the importance of relationship building early on.

“Relationship building is really my secret to success, and I learned a lot of that at Salem State. The relationships I formed with staff and faculty were helpful to me as a student. Professors reached out and helped facilitate and support anything I wanted to do—whether it was taking 10 classes a semester, securing scholarships or helping me with my honors thesis—these efforts all taught me the value of relationships, which is the cornerstone of my business today,” says Katie.

One could argue her work ethic is another reason for her success. Katie completed her undergraduate degree in sociology in just two and a half years, graduating summa cum laude, all while serving as a member of the Honors Program and as a Paul Tsongas Scholar—a competitive, merit-based award named after the late U.S. senator from Massachusetts, which covers up to four years of tuition and fees. She went on to complete a master’s degree in criminal justice (also graduating summa cum laude) and, like many hard-working Salem State students, balanced two jobs while in graduate school.

Adds Katie, “For graduate school, I had the opportunity to go to Columbia, Yale, and Brown, but Salem State was where I wanted to be. It truly laid the foundation for my success, and I will always be grateful for my experience there.”

Today, Katie is the mother of two young children. Her husband, Garrett, who she met at Salem State, is an ’09 criminal justice alum who works as a special agent for homeland security. A passion for safety clearly runs in the family.

“As an entrepreneur, striking a balance between work and home life can be challenging,” says Katie, “But it’s also the most rewarding—I can make sure I'm a huge part of my kids’ lives and continue to grow my business. I love it, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.”

Your support of the criminal justice program can help students realize their dreams, just like Katie was able to do.