Kathy Mordini
Age 60-Belleville,IL
Listening to the Journey
I’ve known Kathy through our community for years, but sitting down to really listen to her journey — from the arts, to real estate, to downtown revitalization, to motherhood and partnership — reminded me why these conversations matter. Kathy doesn’t just build businesses or renovate buildings. She builds places with intention, community with care, and a life rooted in what truly matters. Her story isn’t about reinvention for reinvention’s sake. It’s about refinement. About trusting your instincts, honoring your creativity, and staying the course even when resistance shows up. I’m grateful she shared her time, her honesty, and her perspective with GlowInto — and I hope her story encourages you to reflect on your own next chapter with confidence and clarity.
Growing Into What Matters Most
Some people build careers. Others build places. Kathy Mordini has spent her life doing both, guided by creativity and a purpose that continues to evolve.
To many in the Metro East, Kathy’s name is closely tied to real estate, downtown Belleville revitalization, and community leadership. But beyond the titles, she describes herself more simply.
“I’m an avid art lover with an entrepreneurial spirit,” she says. “But first, I’m a nana, a mother, and a wife.”
That grounding—family, creativity, and service—has shaped every chapter of her life.
Where the Work Ethic Began
Reflecting on what success meant to her early in life, Kathy says: “In my younger years, I trained as a dancer, and through that experience I learned a powerful truth: you get out of life what you put into it. I learned firsthand what it takes to be successful.”
She explains that the discipline of performance shaped how she approaches everything she does. “We spent countless hours in the studio working on our craft—performers’ work ethics are truly off the charts. Through the process of preparing for a final performance, you learn how to handle obstacles along the way. You adapt, you push through, and you make it happen. In the end, it always works out because you did the work.”
Kathy’s drive came from resilience, and adaptability that are non-negotiable. Performers show up. They adjust. The show goes on.
Those lessons followed her into her first professional role out of college, working in the regional office of one of the earliest RE/MAX franchises in Kansas City. Long before digital platforms were common, Kathy helped build one of the first in-house MLS databases, gaining a behind-the-scenes understanding of real estate that would later become invaluable. After several years away, Kansas City gave her something just as important: perspective. It showed her who she was—and who she was ready to become.
Act 2-Choosing Passion Over the Expected Path
At 30, after four years in Kansas City, Kathy reached a defining moment.
“I wanted to do what I loved.”
That clarity brought her back to Belleville, where she opened a performing arts center and committed herself to working with children through creativity and movement. In 1998, she purchased a downtown building with no renovation experience and transformed it over the next 20 years into something much larger than she initially imagined—lofts, a black box theater, an art gallery, and a creative hub that quietly helped reshape the downtown Belleville landscape. “Growing up, my parents instilled the love of the arts in me from a very young age, so that has been rooted in everything that I do from here on out. So that really came from them.”
“I learned as I went,” she says. “Now I feel like I could write a book. It helped that my husband was very supportive on everything that I did, so I do whatever project might be on my mind at the time.”
Through that process, Kathy didn’t just become a business owner—she became a builder.
Historic Belleville Loft
Architecture, Design, and a Love for Mid-Century Modern
Kathy’s appreciation for a building goes far beyond square footage. It lives in design, architecture, and the soul of a space—particularly mid-century modern architecture, where form, function, and artistry intersect.
She has a deep admiration for Charles King’s architectural work, drawn to its clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and intentional connection between indoor and outdoor living. That admiration is personal. Kathy has renovated two mid modern homes, carefully honoring their original vision while updating them for modern life. She currently lives in the second, which is a Charles King design—a home that reflects her love for mid-century modern aesthetics and purposeful design.
Her connection to King’s work extends into her professional life as well. Kathy also purchased the former Belleville News-Democrat building in downtown Belleville, originally designed by Charles King, transforming it into the home of Avenue Realty. “Good design is intentional,” she says. “It respects the past while allowing room to evolve.” That belief mirrors how she approaches real estate, leadership, and community development—honoring what came before while creating space for what’s next.
Kathy doesn’t cling to projects once they’re complete. Instead, she finds fulfillment in watching others enjoy them, knowing each effort contributes to something larger than herself.
Leaving buildings better than she found them allows the area to continue to flourish.
West Belleville Mid Century
Refinement, Not Reinvention
Midlife didn’t bring a dramatic reinvention for Kathy. Instead, it brought refinement.
“My forties were the earlier years when I started to be more confident in my ability. It’s true—you grow older and wiser with age. Over the years, you gain confidence as you learn and grow. I’ve always jumped in with two feet, but I’m more confident now than ever.”
Act 3-Avenue Realty: Building a Business That Reflects Her Values
Avenue Realty wasn’t created to be the biggest brokerage in the room. It was created to be intentional. For Kathy, Avenue is a reflection of everything she values — trust, integrity, community, and relationships that go beyond transactions. After decades in real estate, she knew she wanted to build something different. Something smaller, more thoughtful, and more human. “Bigger isn’t better,” she says. “I’d rather have a small team doing meaningful work than a large one that loses the personal connection.” Today, Avenue Realty operates with a carefully chosen team and a strong support staff, allowing Kathy and her daughter, Kinsey to focus on what matters most: guiding clients through major life moments with care and clarity. Rather than rapid expansion, the brokerage prioritizes collaboration, communication, and long-term trust. That philosophy extends to how Avenue shows up in the community. The firm isn’t just located in downtown Belleville — it’s invested in it. From restoring a Charles King–designed building to supporting public art and neighborhood initiatives, Avenue Realty functions as both a business and a community partner.
The Avenue Team: Pictured L-R, Cole Lewis, Kathy Mordini, and Kinsey Mordini
Avenue Team Review
As the industry has evolved — especially in the wake of COVID — Kathy has embraced change while staying rooted in her values. With Kinsey bringing fresh perspective, technology, and leadership, Avenue continues to grow steadily, without losing its identity. “It’s not about chasing volume,” Kathy reflects.
In many ways, Avenue Realty mirrors Kathy’s own evolution — refined, grounded, and built to last.
Historic Downtown Belleville Mascoutah Ave.
Motherhood, Partnership, and Trust
Working alongside her daughter, Kinsey, for the past eight years has been one of Kathy’s greatest joys—and greatest lessons.
What began as teaching moments slowly evolved into trust. Control gave way to partnership. Experience met innovation. Today, Kathy knows the business would run just fine without her—even if she’s not quite ready to step away.
Art, Community, and Leaving Things Better
Kathy’s belief that art belongs in everyday spaces led to the creation of the Belleville Mural Project and the Community Flags initiative. The idea for the Belleville Mural Project grew from both inspiration and intention. Kathy credits much of the early vision to her daughter, Kinsey, who had traveled to Nashville and seen how other communities were using public art to tell their stories.
“We talked with several communities and studied how they approached it,” Kathy explains. “We wanted to be thoughtful about how ours would work.”
One thing was clear from the beginning: the murals wouldn’t be advertisements.
“The building is just the canvas,” she says. “The focus was never about branding individual businesses. We wanted each piece to have a theme — something that reflected the community — and then let the artists interpret that vision.”
Artists from across the country were invited to participate, and in the early years, the project typically commissioned four murals annually. Each piece was carefully guided from concept to completion through a collaborative process between the artists and the project team.
Funding the murals required creativity and commitment. In the early years, the goal was to raise about $20,000 annually — roughly $4,000 per mural.
“Paying the artists was important to us,” Kathy says. “Being an artist myself, I wanted to make sure they were valued for their time, vision, and hard work.”
The funding came from a mix of community support: crowdfunding, local events, and corporate sponsorships. It was a collective effort — one that reflected the spirit of the project itself.
Kinsey Mordini featuring a local mural
Geographically, the murals are primarily located in the heart of downtown Belleville, where painted surfaces and visibility made the greatest impact. Over time, the project expanded slightly beyond the downtown core, including areas like Midtown and what has become known as the Brewery District — a name developed through conversations with local businesses as a way to help energize and market the area.
Additional murals can be found at places like ACE Hardware and Hospice of Southern Illinois, extending the project’s reach while staying rooted in community connection.
Today, there are 11 murals throughout Belleville, with funding already in place for several more. Each one adds another layer to the city’s story — color, creativity, and a reminder of what’s possible when art and community work together.
Kathy and her daughter Kinsey
In addition to the mural project, Kathy helped bring the Community Flags initiative to life — another way to make people feel connected to the places they call home. Unlike traditional decorative banners, these flags are intentionally designed to represent specific Belleville neighborhoods. Each one reflects the character, history, and identity of a distinct area, creating a visual reminder that the city is made up of many interconnected communities.
Growth Through Resistance
Downtown development and historic preservation aren’t always easy or popular paths. Navigating conflict shaped Kathy both personally and professionally.
A business coach once warned her that resistance would come when building true community—and she was right.
“Her advice to stay focused on the goal was invaluable. Even though it’s something I’ve always taught my children, sometimes you need to hear it from someone else for it to truly resonate. It gave me clarity, peace, and a good night’s sleep.”
There were moments Kathy considered quitting, but her core values always brought her back. “I’ve always seen the potential in the community, and I wasn’t going to let anyone hold me back.”
That lesson has been especially important as a woman leading visible development projects. Resistance, she’s learned, is often part of progress.
People with ulterior motives will try to get in your way, but you can’t let another person dictate your future.”
Historic Belleville German Row
“When you work hard and become successful, you will be scrutinized,” she says. “You can’t listen to the noise if you want to move forward.”
Grounding, Joy, and What Comes Next
When she’s not advocating for a project or guiding clients, Kathy finds grounding at home—playing Monopoly with her grandson, gathering family around the table, or experimenting in the kitchen. Cooking has become a new creative outlet, inspired by her travels to countries like Italy and a growing love of learning about other cultures through food.
When asked what advice she would give a woman feeling restless in midlife, Kathy reflects on the power of focus. “I found a role model—for me, it was Katie Couric. I put her picture where I could see it every day. I kept Post-it notes on my mirror and wrote in a journal. It helped keep me focused and grounded.”
As for what she would have let go of sooner? ”Nothing. You learn by making mistakes. Everything I did before 40 helped make me who I am today. You need to stumble and fall to grow.”
Looking ahead, Kathy smiles at the idea of retirement. “The roles might change,” she says. “But I’m in this for the long haul.”
She adds with a laugh, “I always say I’m planning for retirement, but everyone knows it will never happen. I just finished a gut rehab of my Charles King home, and I’m already thinking about my next move... stay tuned.”
What Kathy Wants You to Know
For women standing at the edge of their own next chapter, her advice is steady and clear:
Set your goals. Do what you love. Don’t let the noise distract you. And trust that every step—even the difficult ones—is preparing you for who you’re becoming.
Avenue Realty Associates, Metro East & Scott AFB Area Realtor
121 S Illinois St. Belleville, IL, Illinois
(618) 334-2593
Follow on Facebook for the latest in New Listings, Community News&Events
