I've Been There.
My Road Less Traveled
I started my career in a conventional setting with a conventional mindset. Graduating with top honors from law school, I joined a prestigious law firm and enjoyed all of the perks that go along with it. For three years, I muscled through long hours of complex litigation and watched my bank account grow as my inner tank grew empty. On paper, I had everything I was supposed to want. On the inside, however, the real truth was burning. I was unhappy and…scared. Scared to disappoint and scared to make a change.
One day, everything changed: my perspective. And that has made all the difference.
In a casual conversation on a Saturday afternoon, an acquaintance shared with me some big changes he was making in his life. His exuberance was contagious. For hours, I marveled at the excitement he felt about his new life direction. Was this possible for me, I wondered? And suddenly, the light bulb went off. I realized that I, too, was the director of my life and could choose a new direction. Really? Really. And, by not actively choosing, life was happening to me. This realization, obvious in hindsight, fueled a new sense of empowerment and potential about myself that I had never known. It also unveiled a new perspective: Staying in law was, in fact, riskier than leaving the profession. And so I did.
Just two days later, against the well-intentioned advice of friends and family, my former risk-averse self took a leap of faith – in my whole self. I turned away from the seeming security of the fancy law firm and turned toward true security within myself. My willingness to “see” things differently, allowed a new realm of possibilities to unfold. For months, I had no clear plan of what to do next. However, I was sure I needed to do two things: 1) Explore who I was independent of cultural, family and self-imposed expectations and 2) Face my fears and follow my own path.
In other words, I began to listen to other parts of myself and…grow.
My risk-taking and continuous desire to grow are now two of the attributes that define me most. In the years since my lawyer days, I have enjoyed a multi-faceted career as a corporate marketing leader, branding consultant, and executive coach. With 19 years on all sides of the client/agency relationship, I have worked for world-class brands across channels, disciplines, industries, and geographies – from concept to market.
Today, my personal journey of facing my own uncertainty and fear – and seeing things differently – is my greatest asset in helping my clients to do the same. From a vast reservoir of personal and professional experience, I help activate the best in brands and people.
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What Sets Me Apart
I am a brand strategist, executive coach and activator – for brands, executives and teams. With a deep understanding of the internal demands, challenges and opportunities of both corporate and agency life, I help clients navigate more effectively and consciously. Specifically, what sets me apart is:
Multi-faceted professional experience
- Branding, law, marketing, executive coaching
- Ability to influence top-to-bottom, from C-level suite to the trenches
- Client side, agency side, client liaison managing agencies, independent consultant
- Established brands, new concepts, start-ups, B2C, retail, CPG, CRM, DM
Unique combination of skills
- Strategic, creative and intuitive
- Intellectually curious and nimble
- Assertive diplomacy – able to “herd cats” and find common ground
- Leading with composure, versatility, and enthusiasm
- Communicating powerfully, clearly, and compassionately
- Versatility to quickly adapt to new environments and add value
- Resolving conflicts carefully and respectfully
- Building authentic, productive relationships
Hands-on experience
- Activating teams of direct reports and peers
- Leading many large scale, cross-disciplined initiatives
- Seeing and nurturing the untapped talents of executives and direct reports
- Creating, testing, launching and rolling-out new programs and concepts
Hybrid toolkit
- Strategies, frameworks, and best practices used by world-class brands, companies, and master teachers
- Pragmatic tools like the Enneagram, the wisdom of yoga, the teachings of Jim Collins, Eckhart Tolle and Byron Katie, and the talents of many authors and experts who provide daily inspiration.
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Lessons Learned
I have enjoyed a lot of success throughout my career. Along the way, I have taken some big risks that defied convention and raised a few eyebrows. Those risks, and everything that came with them, are what brought me the most satisfaction and greatest learning in life. They have also helped to define my personal brand. Here are some of the lessons I’ve learned:
- A smart strategy without internal alignment is not smart. It’s untapped potential.
- Branding is a process, not a project. So is personal development.
- Magic happens with powerful thought partners. Choose wisely.
- The test of leadership is what people do in your absence, not your presence.
- Ideas are easy. Executing ideas is hard.
- Good strategy is simple, inspiring, and empowering.
- Being strategic and being creative are not mutually exclusive.
- Employees are valuable assets—and usually overlooked as such.
- People are brands, too.
- Brands, like people, have blind spots. Unimagined possibilities live in the blind spots.
- Strong leaders are confident and compassionate.
- Communication can build bridges or barriers. Be conscious of how you speak.
- The $64,000 question for every project: what are we solving for?
- Authenticity is a sign of strength in people and brands.
- Silence usually does not mean agreement.
- Seek inspiration outside. Find answers inside. (Sometimes you have to be quiet to hear the answers.)
- Growing older is not the same as growing.
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For Fun
Outside of work, you will find me running amidst the gorgeous vistas of San Francisco, twisting in yoga, adventuring with friends, engaging in a spirited discussion, reading from my always-growing library of books, or playing with my puppy, Ruby Sunshine.
Contact Me
Activation begins with you. Let’s get started!
katy@katymooney.com
415-717-6808
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