When you talk to Kathy (Korhumel) Dise ’71, it doesn’t take long to see that numbers may be her profession, but people are her passion.

“I went to Gesu before SUA,” Dise shares. “But it was always assumed I’d follow in the footsteps of my grandmother, mom, and aunts. We lived just two blocks away.” She was the first of a long line of cousins to attend St. Ursula, and, as she puts it, “I’m so glad I did.”

Dise’s years at SUA were filled with activity, friendship, and discovery. “I was the editor of the school newspaper alongside Liz Edwards. Liz was a phenomenal writer, and I had room to grow,” she laughs. Sports and science also shaped her high school experience: “I was on the tennis team, I think second doubles. They were desperate. I went to States with my Science Fair project, thanks to Sr. Jane.”

But beyond achievements and assignments, it was the spirit of community that left the deepest impression. “The creativity, the camaraderie, the ridiculousness—it was all so much fun,” she recalls. “The skits! ‘One is the Loneliest Number’ still makes me laugh.”

After high school, Dise headed to college and worked summers as a teller at Toledo Trust. “After I graduated, I continued there, and they paid for me to get my MBA!” That opportunity launched a 20-year career in banking before an unexpected twist brought her to the Cleveland Clinic, where she helped commercialize heart devices.

That turn led her to start BudgetEase, a financial services company she launched 15 years ago. “Today, we’re QuickBooks experts delivering timely, impactful financial insights,” Dise says. “It’s a blast, and yes, I’m a numbers nerd and proud of it.”

But Dise doesn’t just balance books; she builds bridges. “Every single day, we help small businesses thrive,” she says. “We support nonprofits that serve mental health, the arts, education, even wind energy on Lake Erie.”

She believes in the ripple effect of using your gifts with purpose. “I’m constantly reminded that small skills, applied with heart, can change lives.”

Dise and her team approach challenges with curiosity, energy, and fun. “Trial, error, and sprinkling fun into every workday,” she explains. “One of our core values is ‘Having Fun While Getting Things Done.’”

They use EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) to stay on track and regularly test tools, like AI for bill pay, on themselves first. “We’re basically our own guinea pigs,” she laughs. “Some ideas work, some crash and burn, but I’m always learning, always reading, listening, and connecting with other entrepreneurs through EO and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.”

She also credits her own family for wisdom. “I get to learn from my team, my children, and Ralph, all the time.”

Despite her business success, Dise says the most rewarding moments are closer to home. “Raising three amazing children, staying married to Ralph for 40 years (he’s a keeper), and finding joy in meaningful work.” She adds with a wink, “I’ve also discovered the quiet satisfaction of a clean garage.”

And in case you didn’t know, Dise has a YouTube channel. “You can find me on YouTube, where I’ve posted weekly for two years. Still waiting for my big break. If you’re an influencer, please call me!”

Dise speaks warmly of the many SUA women who shaped her. “My aunts Fran and Marg were teachers who made an impact. My mom went back to school and started a business in her 60s—just like I did. Mary Werner ‘74: total inspiration.”

She’s also forever grateful for her SUA classmates. “Carol, Chris, Marsha, Denise, Peggy, Patsy, Sue, and Pat—are the kind of friends you want in your corner.”

And the faculty? Unforgettable. “The unconditional support, no matter what shenanigans I tried, from Mrs. Kurek, Sister Jane (Connors), Sister Kathleen, and Sister Helen still warms my heart.” “I’m super passionate about women’s education. It’s a big part of why I do what I do, and I have SUA to thank for that,” Dise says. “Helping women feel confident is something I care deeply about.”

This Arrow may have started just two blocks from SUA, but her journey has taken her far, and she’s still learning, laughing, leading, and making a difference. She reminds us that you don’t have to be famous to be influential. You just have to care, and maybe post a few YouTube videos.