Hey, I’m Kate.
Voice & Vibe
As an elder millennial who grew up without social media and constant surveillance, I learned how to adapt to a lot of new technology very quickly. This bridging of two worlds was foundational to how I navigate the world today - with a learner’s mindset and a healthy dose of skepticism, humor, and grit. As technology continues to evolve, I’m well equipped to anticipate change and evolve with it.
My leadership is quiet, empathetic, and empowering, which means that I often don't command a room, I anchor it. I prefer to work in spaces and with people that have demonstrated commitment to serving each other just as much as serving the mission.
Signature Strengths
Curiosity: I listen to understand and lead with empathy to accelerate innovation
Facilitation: I enhance ideas and facilitate progress through people-first leadership
Clarity catalyst: I hold space for complexity, seek truths, and iterate for impact
Orchestration: I assess team dynamics and harness strengths to achieve progress
Integrator: I balance requirements and ideas with needs to deliver on strategies
Primary Interests
Healthcare and healthcare-adjacent voice of customer/experience leadership
Community foundation funding, data, and program strategy leadership
Social impact professional roles, board or volunteer positions
Data has the power to tell stories that inspire change. Sense-making and systems thinking helps non-profit and healthcare teams build the data operations and strategic capacity they need to see their impact more clearly, make thoughtful decisions, and strengthen the communities they serve.
Curious about building a more connected workflow?
Need systems thinking and communication strategy? Ready to challenge the status quo while recognizing constraints?
Looking for a people-centered, seasoned leader?
Let’s Talk
My Approach
Collaborate to Scale Impact
I believe in the power of cross-functional partnership to develop sustainable experiences, systems, and solutions. As an extension of your team, I immerse myself in your vision and goals. I take thoughtful leadership and give it an edge. With me beside you, good intentions don’t sit on the shelf - they are activated.
Challenge for the Win(s)
I challenge surface-level thinking and assumptions to ensure decisions are data and people informed, making solutions meaningful and sustainable. As part of the team, I am comfortable with inviting new and different perspectives to disrupt the status quo.
Guide with Intention
I seek macro-level understanding and listen with curiosity, not judgement, to lead with empathy and help accelerate meaningful momentum. I amplify energy, ground leaders, and partner across teams to deliver solutions that target root causes.
Impact & Recognition
System Change Navigation and Operations Launch
Led the integration of eight databases and development operations of ten separate philanthropy teams to unify one philanthropic arm of an academic health system, enabling a 300% increase in fundraising dollars since inception.
Built and coached a high performing team that transformed fundraising infrastructure and the technical ecosystem.
Platform & Insights Transformation for Consumers and Patients
Created cross-functional leadership and developed communication plans to support an enterprise change. Selected and implemented Qualtrics for frontline teams and improvement leaders to transform the system patient listening effort and modernize consumer and patient experience management.
Community Engagement and Professional Development
Chamber of Mothers, MN Chapter
Mentor, Minnesota Women’s Health Leadership Trust (WHT)
Engaged volunteer, International Institute of MN and St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP)
Association for Healthcare Philanthropy 40 Under 40 Award (2021)
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20 Years of Leadership Experience
People, Nonprofits, Healthcare
Empathy-Forward Management
Systems, Strategy, and Insights
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Community Advocate
For equity, Women’s health, and Inclusion
Engaged Volunteer
Culturally Competent
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Change Maker
Process & System Improvement
Platform/System Implementations
Change Adoption Planning
Recommendations
"In a rare combination of exceptional talents, Kate represents the meeting point of strategic, inclusive leadership, understanding that data and analytics represent more than numbers, and the confidence to lift others up while driving results and progressing key initiatives at scale.”
Laura Pickett, MHA, Founder and Principal at Thrive Lab
"Kate is a proactive problem solver with a strong operational mindset who combines clarity, kindness, and courage in her leadership approach. She thoughtfully navigates complex situations, balancing deep understanding of details with a strategic, high-level perspective.”
Alex Simonton, MHA, Associate Director, Patient Engagement at Eli Lilly
Get in Touch
Don’t be shy! Engage with me on LinkedIn or contact me for informational interviews, network building, or about a potential project.
