"You have to have an absolute passion and belief in the mission [of your organization]," the Willow Glen resident says.

Throughout her entire professional career--and much of her spare time--Walker has applied that rule to serving the community. She is a longtime member of the Rotary Club of San Jose and for more than 30 years. And she is employed as the president of Via Rehabilitation Services, a Santa Clara nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities.

Formerly known as the Crippled Children's Society of Santa Clara County, Via started as a small neighborhood volunteer group in 1945.

The private nonprofit organization assists about 3,000 clients of all ages each year, with services ranging from early screening and intervention programs to a residential camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Phil Sims, a fellow Rotarian and longtime volunteer at Via, says Walker has been a great influence to the organization's work. In her past 10 years as president, he says, she has proven to be a successful leader, even when times were rough.

"She's been a key player in that organization," Sims says. "She's focused, she's very clear about what she wants to do and works to get the people to cooperate."

Walker joined Via in 1972 as a speech pathologist. Advancing steadily within the organization, she obtained two additional university degrees--a master's degree in learning disabilities from Santa Clara University and a doctorate degree in educational psychology from Brigham Young University in Utah.

What has kept her passionate about Via for so many years, she says, is the great potential for creativity and growth she has always seen in the organization's work.

"You have to be serious about the work, but you can't stop thinking about what needs to be done in the future," says Walker, adding that with society's increasing awareness toward people with disabilities, the needs of Via's clients have been changing. Instead of leading an isolated existence at home, there is now an understanding that people with disabilities can be self-sufficient and lead fulfilled lives.

Her role, she says, is to ensure the organization stays on the leading edge in delivering high quality programs to people with disabilities.

"It's a job that I feel good about at the end of the day," Walker said. "You see something that changes as a result of our program and that is a good feeling."

In 1994, several of Via's board members sponsored Walker in joining the Rotary Club of San Jose.

Now she's the organization's president ­ the second woman to be in that position ­ heading a volunteer group of 418 business and professional leaders committed to community service.

The San Jose Rotary engages in various local projects, such as the adoption of Washington Elementary School. Members of the club also worked with local students on career days, drug prevention programs, a free medical clinic and leadership camps.

"It's just added so much to my life," says Walker, looking back on her 11 years with the organization. "We have 418 of just the best people in the Silicon Valley in that club."

Fellow Rotarians say they admire their president's clear vision and organizational talent. But more so, they credit her for her low-key, personable style.

"She has a fun personality," says Sims, a Willow Glen resident and one of Rotary's former presidents. "She makes people laugh."

Willow Glen resident Carl Cilker, also a previous president in the club, says he admires Walker's ability to take a challenge, but he is equally impressed with her skill to apply her professional qualities to interacting with others.

"She can be very charming; when she asks someone to do something it's difficult to say no," he says.

Walker's longtime friend and Willow Glen resident Sherry Simmons, who is active in the Rotary Club as well as with Via, says there's a common thread to her friend's leadership style.

"Kay is incredibly dedicated and committed to the mission of both organizations," she says. "She's also incredibly visionary ­ it's a combination which can't be beat."

The driving force behind her devotion Walker credits to the "many little lessons" she picked up from numerous people throughout her life.

Her upbringing and family in Alabama, she says, instilled in her the value of hard work and giving back to the community.

But there are also numerous people she's encountered through her work-- friends, colleagues and volunteers--who inspired her and helped her grow to where she is now.

"As you go through the years, you meet amazing people," Walker said. "You never do anything by yourself. I'm surrounded by phenomenal people."

The 10th annual Via Ball will be held on Feb. 18 at Villa Ragusa, 35 S. Second St. in downtown Campbell. Tickets are $175 per person and Feb. 14 is the deadline to RSVP. To purchase tickets call 408.243.7861 or send an email to viaball@viaservices.org. This year registration is also available at www.viaservices.org.