Kindsvater taught journalism and was the advisor to the student newspaper at the College of Lake County, Illinois. She was a feature writer for the seven-paper Lakeland Newspaper Group.

As a member of the NPC, she has served on the board as treasurer, as editor of the NPC annual member yearbook, and currently serves as chairman of the scholarship committee.

Kindsvater also teaches English as a Second Language at the Gulf Coast Literacy Council, is a Friends of the Library-Collier County board member, and manages the Ship’s Store at Pelican Isle Yacht Club.

Kindsvater holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, and master’s degrees from Colorado State University and Roosevelt University (Chicago).