About Kayla

Kayla Calkin’s first deeply personal memoir chronicles the unyielding spirit she needed to take on extraordinary life threatening health catastrophes, while simultaneously working to pass the Inflation Reduction Act - America’s biggest investment in a clean energy economy in history - ensuring our planet has a fighting chance. Kayla’s memoir I Never Wanted to Live a Small Life, which chronicles her journey of a fertility roller coaster and breast cancer survival, is a powerful testament to perseverance, perfect for readers seeking inspiration and insight into the intersection of personal and political battles. 

Kayla received her BA from Wellesley College in Women’s Studies and Political Science, and an MA from George Washington University in Public Policy and Women’s Studies. After college, she joined the Hillary Clinton for President campaign in 2007 as an organizer - and stayed on the campaign trail ever since. Since 2018 she has worked at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) as a Federal Campaigns Director, but most recently she took a leave of absence to become the Colorado State Director for the historic Harris-Walz campaign.

Organizing for good, defying the odds.

Kayla lives in the City Park neighborhood of Denver with her long term partner Zac, and their high maintenance Westie Lucy.

Join Kayla in celebrating life, resilience, and the power of advocacy through her first memoir and ongoing work.