Kathy Peterson is a lover of the challenges, fun, and friendships that come with American Mah Jongg.

Growing up in a family of teachers, Kathy has always been a lifelong learner. When she began playing Mah Jongg in 2025, she was fortunate to find a group in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, that welcomed even first-time players and helped them learn the game. Following their example, Kathy soon found herself naturally gravitating toward helping new players in the group. That experience inspired her to become an Accredited Mah Jongg Instructor so she could share her love of the game effectively and confidently.

Kathy especially enjoys introducing Mah Jongg to those who have never played before. She finds it exciting to help new players learn the game, build their skills, and develop the confidence to become successful players. Seeing others discover the same joy she has found in Mah Jongg has been especially rewarding, and she looks forward to continuing to help grow the Mah Jongg community.

After serving for many years as an Executive Director with various nonprofit organizations, Kathy discovered that the skills and experience she gained throughout her career prepared her well to share her passion for Mah Jongg with others. In 2026, she founded EI Mahjongg-Bam, offering group and individual Mah Jongg classes to both residents and visitors along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast. She is also looking forward to hosting the organization’s first charity Mah Jongg tournament in 2027.