Hi, l 'm Kathy

A colleague once called me “The Great Encourager”. There was a time when things like that used to make me feel silly. Self conscious. Embarrassed, even. But what I realize now is that I've always been a mentor and motivator at heart. It is one of my gifts. And, that has allowed me to be not just an encourager but also a reflector, where I help others to embrace their own quirks, gifts, voice and skills to see and to believe in their true potential.

I have marketing and branding in my DNA-- it's a lens that filters my vision for opportunity, for myself and others, and businesses too. Perhaps that is why I'm known as America's Marketing Motivator™.

My goal has always been to make a positive difference

It gives me joy and satisfaction to know that I’ve played a role in improving people's careers, businesses, and lives. It just so happens that I now do that in a handful of ways: speaking on stages, writing and thought leadership, coaching and mentoring, and exercising my creativity and critical thinking.

I am honored (and honestly often astonished) to be able to say I have coached thousands of purpose-driven leaders and professionals in the two decades since founding and operating my company (proudly woman owned). There aren't many people who can say they have been joyfully succeeding at their purpose work for two whole decades. For me, it's more than a job; it’s a calling.

In that time, I've watched leadership as a concept and our collective understanding of what it even means to be a good leader -- evolve and completely transform. As I have personally experienced in my own life and business too. Nothing makes me more excited than to watch cultures and communities grow into structures and models better suited for all people to thrive. Although we still have a long way to go, I'm excited to be part of this incredibly important work-in-progress.

Failure has taught me more than my wins ever have.

I'm not just talking about losing a deal (although, those hurt too. There's nothing like the thrill of winning a new deal). I'm talking about the most humbling and painful human experiences I've endured: rejections, infertility, miscarriages, being fired, being overlooked, underwhelmed, questioned, excluded, talked down to. The list goes on.

And, here's what those 'failures' taught me: in the darkest moments of life we only have two choices; admit defeat or become our own inner leader. When you learn how to lead yourself through pain, tragedy and straight up bad luck, you learn what it really means to be a leader. To lead. To lead people. Real people. Who experiences all of these things and more. People who still show up to work, to give you their best, and sometimes don't even speak about the things they're going through.

I believe the life experience I've had made me the leader I am and gave me the compassion I'm famous for in my coaching and programs.

In 2011, I perhaps faced my greatest challenge to date.

The C word. My dance with ovarian cancer (as I call it) was the ultimate reminder of my humanity, and the greatest call to reset and relook at how I was living my life.

Meeting my mortality was the right reminder at the right time. As tragedy often is, I learned I can't control everything in my life. But I learned that I could shape my experience, no matter the cards you are dealt. I learned I could use my resources and influence for positive change and for the constant evolution of everyone around me. I had, as Martin Luther King, Jr. once referred to as "a fierce urgency of now". The evolution of my character and wisdom has come from these challenges, the hardships, the setbacks. The moments of 'What now?' and ‘What next?'.

My setbacks have been at the heart of my "Shero's Journey".

As I reflect on my sixty plus trips around the sun, I am grateful for the exciting career and wonderful life that I have built and been blessed with.

I share this with you because I want you to know that I’m real. I’m human. I’m imperfect and flawed. I am also fearless, bold, unstoppable, generous, and resilient. I am the Fearless Leader of my own life. And I’m here to uplift you and equip you to uplift yourself. I’m here to support you and others so that we can all realize our full leadership potential.

The goal is not just to survive, but to truly thrive in our work and lives. And to pay it forward so others can also enjoy truly meaningful careers and lives.

P.S. - If you’re interested in reading the conventional bits of my official biography, you can check me out on LinkedIn.

P.S.S. - if you want to get a taste of the real me, I invite you to join our Fearless Leader Community on Mighty Networks where you can partake in our monthly Fearlessly Informal COFFEE CHATS, quarterly bonus learning events, as well as opportunities to exchange ideas and get to know other fearless leaders around the globe.

P.S.S.(S.) - I also invite you to learn more about our fearless and fabulous team members and graduates of The Fearless Leader program. I know that they would love to hear from you as well!

Until then, stay fearless!