Who is Kate Kavanagh in the novel, Fifty Shades of Grey?

Kate is Ana's roommate. Kate is a strong, determined young woman with strong opinions. Kate often offers advice to Ana that is not requested in her attempt to care for her friend. Ana finds Kate's concern touching at the beginning of the novel, but when Kate tells Christian some things that lead to him wanting to punish Ana, Ana becomes annoyed with Kate and her inability to understand Christian despite the non-disclosure agreement that prevents Ana from explaining the situation completely.