About
A life shaped by family,
community, and purpose
Kate Finnerty Sumner was born on June 18, 1976 in Georgetown, Washington D.C., the daughter of Peter Finnerty — a distinguished maritime executive inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame in 2005. Her upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to making things better for others.
She is married to singer-songwriter Joe Sumner, frontman of Fiction Plane, and together they have four children. The family is based in Los Angeles.
Philanthropy
Causes close to her heart
Kate's charitable work is defined by a hands-on, results-driven approach — she doesn't just lend her name, she does the work. Over many years she has been a vital behind-the-scenes force for two causes in particular.
Kate has been a dedicated fundraiser for Cura, a children's orphanage in Kenya.
The Crayon Collection brings art supplies and creative education to children in Title I and Head Start schools. Kate has helped raise the charity's profile by bringing high-profile guests to fundraising events, significantly broadening their reach and impact.
Background
Family
Kate is the daughter of Peter Finnerty, a pioneering figure in the American maritime industry. Peter Finnerty served as a senior executive at Sea-Land, one of the companies that transformed global containerised shipping. He was inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his lifetime contribution to the industry.
Kate has carried forward her family's ethos of dedication and service in the communities and causes she champions.