About

Katie is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator and Executive Coach who supports transformation in organizations by focusing on their most important asset – their people. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Stanford University and a master’s degree in psychology; dramatherapy from the California Institute of Integral Studies. More recently she was trained by Brené Brown in Dare to Lead™ and facilitates the work of developing brave leaders and more courageous cultures.

With over 30 years of experience as a facilitator, consultant and coach, Katie has worked with individuals and teams to engage in courageous conversations, strengthen critical thinking skills, and build trust while guiding the development of the courage-building skills necessary to lead in an increasingly complex world. 

Specialty

• Understand the link between vulnerability and courage and what keeps us from doing brave or challenging acts, normalize the discomfort that comes with being a brave leader
• Identify a personal call to courage and practice the behaviors needed to answer the call
• Develop emotional intelligence by increasing self-awareness, identifying triggers and learning way to disrupt reactive patterns
• Identify the behaviors that can strengthen or damage trust and proactively build trust with co-workers and clients
• Understand reactive thinking and the stories we make up, and learn skills and tools to be more resilient

TYPES OF PROGRAMS DELIVERED 

• Executive Retreats 
• Dare to Lead™ Workshops
• Executive Coaching 
• The Leadership Circle Profile 360
• The Birkman Method Assessment

Education and Certifications

Education

• BA – Anthropology – Stanford University
• MA in Psychology; Dramatherapy – California Institute of Integral Studies

Certified as

• Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator
• Certified Co-Active Coach (CPCC)
• Executive Coach PCC
• The Birkman Method
• Leadership Circle Profile (360)
• Diversity and Inclusion – eCornell

Experience with Clients

• Google
• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Cisco
• Kaiser Permanente
• Opus One Winery
• MGM Grand
• Fivestars
• Iron Ox
• PTC
• Berkeley Labs
• Delicato Family Wines
• Beneficial State Foundation
• Decker Communications
• Sparklight
• Sequoia Living
• California Library Association
• GOBHI
• Shine Early Learning
• Connecticut Institute for Communities
• Head Start
• The Branson School
• The College Preparatory School
  

Case Study

CLIENT: VP Clinical Research at Medical Technology & Pharmaceutical 

THE NEED: Client initially engaged Katie in coaching to focus on emotional intelligence and reactivity.  She was also seeking to enhance her Executive Presence and learn tools and skills to successfully navigate difficult conversations. Client was very intuitive and sensitive and others reported that they could “feel” her emotions when she was upset, even during virtual meetings. She and her manager were concerned that these issues were holding her back in her career.

RESULT: Through a personal assessment and a narrative 360 process, Katie guided Client to increase her self-awareness. She began to notice when she felt triggered, and would pause before reacting, and then respond in a way that was productive.  Client was recruited by another organization and as part of her employment agreement, asked to continue her coaching with Katie. 

In the new organization, Katie helped client to assimilate into the new company, focusing on listening and building relationships. They also worked on skills and tools to navigate difficult conversations, sometimes practicing in coaching sessions. Client became quite skilled at this and regularly engaged in hard conversations when necessary, in a direct, productive and kind way. After a year of coaching in the new organization, Client reported feeling very satisfied in her new role and was relieved that she was feeling more control over her emotions, leading her to develop strong partnership as well as being respected and well-liked in the organization.